WASHINGTON, DC – Even as evidence continues to pour in of the consumer, economic, and environmental benefits of ethanol, the oil industry today spouted its same old, disproven talking points about ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
The truth is that ethanol is the most tested fuel in history, and is a less expensive choice for consumers. The United States Department of Energy has tested ethanol-blends for a total distance of six million miles with zero instances of engine damage or performance issues. NASCAR has competed using ethanol more than eight million miles, and thanks to the high octane of ethanol, drivers have benefited from increased engine performance and greater fuel efficiency.
“Though this kind of rhetoric should be shocking, it no longer is,” said Tom Buis, co-chair of Growth Energy. “The oil industry has made a habit of repeatedly trotting out bogus studies for the single purpose of blocking competition and consumer choice to protect their profits. The fact is that rigorous testing and unbiased studies from the government and other industries have repeatedly demonstrated that ethanol and other biofuels are a less expensive, cleaner and better performing alternative to oil.”
It’s obvious that API’s discredited study has no basis in fact and is simply an attempt to maintain its monopoly on the motor fuel marketplace. In reality, a strong, bipartisan majority of Americans support ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard, which provides our country with nearly 400,000 jobs and significantly cuts greenhouse gas emissions.
“API’s proposal will turn back the clock – and it must be rejected so that cleaner burning, higher performing biofuels will not be eliminated,” added Buis. “Congress should ignore a request that leads to an increase in air toxins and dirtier air to breathe.”
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