PRESS CONTACT: Chris Thorne 202.545.4000
cthorne@growthenergy.org
Proposed Solutions In Line with Growth Energy Objectives
WASHINGTON, DC – The biofuels roadmap released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture details the investments and technology the United States needs to further develop the domestic ethanol industry, including three potential solutions that were earlier endorsed by Growth Energy, the coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters.
The report identified the main obstacle to reaching the RFS2 target of 36 billion gallons of ethanol and other biofuels per year as the limited number of Flex Fuel Vehicles and the inability of the rest of the vehicle fleet to utilize higher blends, restricting the amount of ethanol that can actually be consumed.
Three solutions suggested in the report include rapid expansion of blender pumps and flex fuel vehicles, and the approval of a higher blend of ethanol in conventional gasoline – all solutions maintained by Growth Energy.
“I commend Secretary Vilsack for looking down the road to help America achieve its energy independence. The solutions outlined in this USDA roadmap are precisely the steps that are needed to achieve our energy independence goals,” said CEO Tom Buis. “Building out blender pumps and infrastructure to deliver ethanol from the point of production to the markets, and putting more Flex Fuel Vehicles on the road will provide consumers the choice at the pump between domestic, renewable fuels and foreign oil. Vilsack has shown he knows exactly what needs to be done to create U.S. jobs, clean the environment and strengthen national security.”
The RFS2 becomes effective on July 1, 2010 and, if achieved, will help rebuild rural America by creating new economic opportunities for American agriculture to fulfill the mandate. “Today’s ethanol industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in the United States – jobs that can’t be outsourced – and generates $92 billion in economic activity for this country, largely in rural areas that desperately need to reinvigorate their economies. Achieving the goals outlined in the RFS will further rev America’s economic engine and drive prosperity across the country.”
Growth Energy continues to maintain that not only does the U.S. need a long term plan to increase the use of ethanol, but also needs interim measures, such as approval of Growth Energy’s petition with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to increase the allowable blend of ethanol in gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent. Along with E15, Growth Energy supports legislation mandating that all automobiles sold in the U.S. be Flex Fuel Vehicles, programs to install blender pumps, federal support of ethanol pipelines, and efforts to remove the onerous hurdles in the 2007 Energy Act that prevent the domestic ethanol industry from meeting RFS2 goals – particularly the prohibition of grain ethanol from meeting the definition of an advanced biofuel.
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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 .
