April 06, 2010
Growth Energy Responds to Brazilian Ethanol Import Tariff Cut
Author: Growth Energy
WASHINGTON, DC –Growth Energy, the coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters, today issued a statement in response to the Brazilian Government’s announcement that it will remove its tariff on imported ethanol.
“We would not support reducing the U.S. import tariff, despite whatever Brazil is temporarily doing, because Brazilian ethanol already enjoys generous subsidies from the Brazilian government and to provide them access to additional subsidies from the U.S. government makes no sense,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis.
“If we want to import something from Brazil it should be the same resolve to become energy independent. Brazil wisely saw the importance of supporting and incentivizing their domestic ethanol industry and now they are energy exporters while the U.S. continues to rely heavily on foreign oil. The U.S. would do well to follow their example and promote American ethanol producers rather than giving tax breaks to foreign ethanol and increasing our dependence on foreign energy.”
“Further, it makes absolutely no sense at all to increase our nation’s addiction to foreign sources of energy. We’re already deeply addicted to foreign oil. We should not become addicted to foreign ethanol. The 2007 Energy Act’s very name supports this – it is known as the Energy independence and Security Act. When it passed that legislation, Congress intended to make America more energy secure, and more energy independent – not further addicted to foreign energy,” Buis added.
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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.
