WASHINGTON, DC – Growth Energy, the coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters, released the following statement in response to today’s Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee Hearing on E15.
“This is the most stacked hearing ever on ethanol. The witnesses are made up of ethanol critics ranging from Big Oil who has no desire to see our nation reduce our dependence on foreign oil – to the chicken council who just wants cheap corn. In fact, having the chicken council as an expert witness on the science of E15 makes about as much sense as having Colonel Sanders as a witness on nuclear proliferation. The hearing is an obvious attempt to inject politics into a decision made by EPA based on science and the most extensive vehicle testing ever,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis.
Earlier this week, Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson criticizing efforts to increase the blend of ethanol in our nation’s fuel supply to 15 percent.
Buis noted that the EPA’s decision to approve the use of E15 in cars 2001 and newer was based on data collected from a rigorous, lengthy and extreme standard of testing on performance of engines, emissions systems and automobile drivability.
He said, “No other fuel mix has been tested more, and it is absurd to claim that E15 could harm vehicles approved by EPA.
“In the future, I would hope this subcommittee holds a hearing on the safety of blow-out protectors in offshore drilling, and oil pipeline safety. Two major oil spills in a year certainly warrants the attention of Congress,” Buis added.