The Honorable Catherine Blakespear
Chair, Senate Environmental Quality Committee
1021 O Street, Room 3230
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Support for AB 30 (Alvarez) State Air Resources Board: gasoline specifications: ethanol blends
Dear Chair Blakespear,
On behalf of Growth Energy, I write in support of AB 30 (Alvarez) which would make transportation fuel blends of up to 15% ethanol (E15) legal for sale and use in California. Growth Energy is the world’s largest trade association representing 97 U.S. biorefineries that
produce more than nine billion gallons of cleaner-burning, renewable fuel annually. Our members account for more than half of the bioethanol produced in the United States each year. Together, we are working to bring consumers better and more affordable choices at the fuel pump, improve air quality, and protect the environment for future generations. We remain committed to helping diversify our country’s energy portfolio, grow more energy jobs, decarbonize our nation’s energy mix, sustain family farms, and drive down the costs of transportation fuels for consumers.
AB 30 will significantly reduce light-duty fuel costs for California’s consumers. A recent study by the University of California, Berkeley and the United States Naval Academy indicates that California drivers could save as much as 20 cents per gallon with the inclusion of E15 in the fuel supply. The same study indicates California drivers could save as much as $2.7 billion annually at the pump if E15 replaced E10.
Furthermore, E15 reduces fuel emissions and has notable environmental benefits. Testing by the University of California, Riverside shows E15 significantly reduces tailpipe emissions compared to E10. This includes the reduction of greenhouse gases and harmful
particulates that contribute to air pollution.
E15 is well tested and has already been used across the country. After extensively testing the fuel in 86 vehicles for a total of six million miles, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved E15 in 2011 for all passenger vehicles model year 2001 and newer. Since
its approval, E15 has efficiently fueled 150 billion miles driven in the United States. E15 is available for sale in 34 states at more than 4,200 fuel retail locations. It is time for California to approve the sale and use of E15, just as every other state in the nation has done.
For the reasons outlined above, Growth Energy is pleased to support AB 30 and urge an AYE vote on this critical measure. We look forward to continued collaboration with your office and other policymakers to implement E15, reduce air emissions, and make fuel more affordable for Californians.
Sincerely,
Emily Skor
CEO
Growth Energy
cc The Honorable Members of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee
The Honorable Assemblymember David Alvarez, Author
Eric Walters, Chief Consultant, Senate Environmental Quality Committee
Scott Seekatz, Consultant, Senate Republican Caucus