WASHINGTON –Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, released the following statement regarding recent opinion pieces by Senators Jeff Bingaman and John Thune calling for swift action to address both the indirect land use change provisions and renewable biomass definitions contained in the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard. Senator Bingaman’s opinion piece can be found here and Senator Thune’s opinion piece can be found here.
“We applaud the bi-partisan leadership by Senators Bingaman and Thune to address two critical issues contained in the Renewable Fuel Standard that would deal a devastating blow to America’s progress in achieving energy independence.”
“The highly controversial theory of indirect land use change would penalize American ethanol producers and farmers for greenhouse gas emissions on the other side of the globe that they have no responsibility for or control over. We believe that additional study of the issue of indirect land use change will further demonstrate that these provisions should never have been a part of the 2007 energy law to begin with.”
“Further, by refining the definition of renewable biomass, we will advance the production of cellulosic ethanol from geographically-diverse feedstocks throughout the U.S., creating green jobs and growing local economies from Maine to Louisiana and North Dakota to California.”
“Growth Energy remains committed to the sustainable production of ethanol to address the challenge of climate change while reducing our dependence on foreign oil and reinvigorating our economy. We look forward to working with the Obama Administration and Congress to achieve a cleaner, more secure energy future for our nation.”
About Growth Energy
Growth Energy is a group committed to the promise of agriculture and growing America’s economy through cleaner, greener energy. Growth Energy members recognize America needs a new ethanol approach. Through smart policy reform and a proactive grassroots campaign, Growth Energy promotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the use of ethanol in gasoline, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating American jobs at home. More information can be found at GrowthEnergy.org.