WASHINGTON, D.C. — Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor released the following statement in advance of her testimony tomorrow before the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment hearing, “High Octane Fuels and High Efficiency Vehicles: Challenges and Opportunities.”
“As fuel economy standards become increasingly stringent in the U.S. and worldwide, auto manufacturers are moving toward more efficient engines that require high octane fuels to operate effectively and lower greenhouse gases. Ethanol is a ready solution.
“With a natural 113 octane, ethanol has a lower carbon content than the gasoline components it replaces and provides increased engine efficiency to reduce both tailpipe, greenhouse gas, and criteria pollutant emissions.
“Growth Energy has been a leader in pushing for higher octane, midlevel ethanol blends. We submitted the first proposal for a 100 Research Octane Number (RON), E30 fuel nearly 7 years ago.
“Robust research by national labs, automakers, and other scientific institutions has explored the myriad benefits of high-octane fuels and specifically a midlevel ethanol blend in the E20 to E30 range. When paired with various higher compression ratio engines, these fuels increase vehicle engine efficiency, lower tailpipe emissions, and increase use of renewable fuel.
“Providing consumers significant cost savings, increased engine efficiency, and significant environmental benefits will require a step-change in the fuel/engine system. Only by coupling a stable RFS to maintain market access with a significant boost in octane from a midlevel ethanol blend, can these substantial benefits be achieved.
“Biofuels must be part of any long-term plan for engine efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction. However, any discussion of our future fuel mix cannot turn back the clock on the RFS.”
For additional information, see Skor’s written testimony submitted to the committee yesterday.
The hearing begins at 9:00 a.m. EST in 2123 Rayburn House Office Building; a webcast will be available at energycommerce.house.gov.
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Press Contact:
Jenni Roberson
202.545.4000
JRoberson@growthenergy.org