June 28, 2010
Ethanol industry uses Gulf disaster to press feds for more support
Published in Chicago Business
Capitalizing on the Gulf oil spill, ethanol makers are launching a bold public relations offensive touting their clean environmental image as they lobby the Obama administration to allow more of the corn-based fuel in American gas tanks.
The ethanol industry, centered in Illinois and elsewhere in the Midwest, has begun its first-ever national television campaign, featuring messages such as "No beaches have been closed due to ethanol spills." In addition, extensive pro-ethanol display ads have popped up in a Capitol Hill subway station, aimed at lawmakers and other officials.
The promotional blitz comes at a crucial time for ethanol. Overcapacity is driving down prices, so the industry is pressing the Obama administration for help. But ethanol producers must walk a very fine line to avoid the appearance of taking advantage of the country's worst-ever environmental disaster.
"The spill is a good opportunity to make an example of why the federal government should support homegrown renewable energy like corn-based ethanol," says Richard Ruebe, CEO of London-based GTL Resources PLC, which has an ethanol plant in Rochelle. "We don't want to further contribute to the pain and suffering Americans have experienced with the spill, but this is an example we all must learn from."
With supply growing faster ...
