The National Farmers Union has submitted comments to the EPA calling for an increase in the allowable ethanol content of gasoline beyond the current 10% limit. NFU's comments came in response to the waiver request by Growth Energy and 51 ethanol producers to the Clean Air Act. NFU president Roger Johnson told the EPA approving this waiver will enable continued growth of the ethanol industry and lead to the next generation of biofuels.
In written comments, Johnson wrote, "The United States is rapidly approaching the point at which we will be able to blend ethanol in 10% of all transportation fuels. However, the 10% limitation jeopardizes our ability to meet the requirements set by the Renewable Fuels Standard. The Renewable Fuels Standard requires the use of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022. But, in the near term, the RFS2 requires 13.15 billion gallons of ethanol by 2012.
A recent North Dakota State University study found that increasing the ethanol cap to E15 will directly lead to the creation of 136,000 new jobs, $24.4 billion in economic activity, and displace seven billion gallons of imported gasoline each year. Johnson said such a boost to the American economy is sorely needed.
Powered by iNet Solutions Group ©2011 All Rights Reserved.