In The News
Hearing Sends Clear Message to EPA: Don’t Short-Circuit Process on Ethanol Blend Wall
Diverse Groups Urge Caution on Mid-level Ethanol Blends
Wednesday April 1, 2009
Posted by: Matt Dempsey Matt_Dempsey@inhofe.senate.gov (202)224-9797
Read Senator Inhofe’s Opening Statement for the Hearing
With the passage of the 2007 energy bill, Congress doubled the corn-based ethanol mandate despite mounting questions surrounding ethanol’s compatibility with existing engines, its transportation and infrastructure needs, its economic sustainability, and numerous other issues. A year and a half later few dispute that Congress erred in pushing too much ethanol too fast.
The Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety conducted an oversight hearing today where witnesses ranging from the American Lung Association to the National Resources Defense Council and the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association weighed-in with a similar theme: EPA should be cautious in implementing regulations.
“With such risks at stake, we need to know much, much more about the impact of midlevel ethanol blends. The lack of well-done research may surprise.”- Blakeman Early on behalf of the American Lung Association. Link
“Our Association strongly encourages the Congress to continue to support a technology-neutral approach and to not advantage one type of fuel or technology over another.” - Michael McAdams representing the Advanced Biofuels Association. Link
“While others at this hearing will talk about these issues more in depth, the amount of ethanol we allow to be blended into a gallon of gasoline must be based on complete testing to ensure the public’s health is protected.” - Nathanael Greene representing the National Resources Defense Council. Link
“We collectively are opposed to any legislative or regulatory action to approve the introduction of mid-level ethanol blends until unbiased and comprehensive testing of the safety, operational and environmental effects of these fuels has been completed.” - Charles T. Drevna representing NPRA, NMMA, and OPEI. Link
Bottom line - EPA should reject calls to short-circuit its regulatory obligation and instead fully utilize sound science to determine the feasibility of mid-level ethanol blends. An injudicious rush to approve mid-level ethanol blends could ultimately prove harmful to the ethanol industry itself if these blends harm human health, damage engines and machinery, or adversely affect the environment.
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