RFA and Growth Energy Speak Out on E15 Amendment
Proposed legislation would prevent E15 implementation.
Compiled by staff
Published: Feb 16, 2011
America needs to tighten its belt, but it should not come at the expense of our energy security. Those words are from the Renewable Fuels Association, responding to a proposed amendment to the House Continuing Resolution that would eliminate funding for the Environmental Protection Agency to implement the move to E15 ethanol blends. The amendment is offered by Representative John Sullivan, R-Okla.
According to the RFA, preventing EPA from implementing its approval of E15 for cars, pickups and SUVs made in model year 2001 and newer only means America remains addicted to foreign oil. This amendment seems more about political science than physical science, and would only serve to slow the evolution of America's domestic ethanol industry and strengthen the stranglehold oil has on the nation's economy and energy future.
A separate but similar amendment being proposed by Representative Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. USDA funds from helping to install blender pumps. Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis says preventing the Administration from implementing policies that will develop our nation's renewable fuel infrastructure will only limit consumer choice at the pump and maintain the status quo, perpetuating our nation's addiction to foreign oil.
RFA spokesman Matt Hartwig says those trying to slow ethanol’s progress are from oil patch states where ethanol’s increasing market share is of concern to the oil industry. He predicts the GOP stop-gap funding measure won’t survive in its present form in the Senate.
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Tagged: ethanol, usda, EPA, Environmental Protection Agency
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