November 29, 2011
Unnecessary and Harmful
The Washington Times’ editorial board has an interesting way of defining things.
In their latest diatribe against ethanol, (EDITORIAL: Burning food), the Washington Times claims that this renewable, homegrown fuel is an “unnecessary and sometimes harmful additive to gasoline.”
Perhaps they do not realize that blending clean, biodegradable ethanol in our gasoline reduces carbon dioxide and other toxic and ozone-forming pollutants from entering our air – not just saving lives but ultimately accruing untold savings in public health spending.
Or perhaps they do not understand the truly dangerous impact that gasoline refined from oil has on our nation’s environment, economy and national security.
In its 2010 Fuel Scorecard, the Truman National Security Project concludes that the policy of keeping oil as our primary transportation fuel “clearly stands out as the most harmful for U.S. national security overall.”
And, the latest report from the Military Advisory Board (MAB), “Ensuring America’s Freedom of Movement: A National Security Imperative to Reduce U.S. Oil Dependence,” demonstrates how our addiction to foreign oil poses a significant threat to our economy and geopolitical standing.
America’s addiction to oil has not only impacted our nation’s economic and military safety but it has had catastrophic effects on our ecosystems. Look no further than the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico – the long term ecological impacts of which are still yet to be defined.
Unquestionably, America’s reliance on foreign oil poses the most “unnecessary and harmful” threat to our nation.
Yet, the Washington Times continues to criticize ethanol – the one commercially viable alternative we have to foreign oil today. And, they disparage the ethanol industry for its tax credit, even though producers have already volunteered to give it up.
Meanwhile, we continue to funnel billions in permanent tax payer dollars to oil and gas companies every year, propping up a fuel that continues to devastate our environment, empty the pockets of hard working Americans and severely threaten our nation’s security.
Technological advancements and innovation within the industry continue to make ethanol cleaner and more energy efficient, while oil becomes dirtier, costlier and riskier to extract.
Promoting policies that open the market to increase the demand for both grain ethanol and next generation biofuels will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, improve our environment and make our economy stronger.
It’s a goal that the Washington Times editorial board, and all Americans, should support.
