Imperial Valley News

Washington, DC - Growth Energy, the coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters, released the following statement after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) introduced a limited energy bill that did not include supports for renewable fuels:

“Growth Energy is disappointed that the Majority Leader did not take the opportunity to include measures in today’s energy bill that would support the most viable alternative to imported oil – ethanol,” said CEO Tom Buis. “Ethanol is America’s fuel. It is 59 percent cleaner than gasoline refined from oil and it can play a significant role in reducing our dependence on foreign oil, strengthening our economy and creating good paying jobs in the U.S. that can’t be outsourced—and best of all, it is here today. We don’t have to wait years for some alternative source of energy.

“Growth Energy recently introduced a Fueling Freedom Plan which establishes a path toward building out the infrastructure necessary to make significant reductions in our nation’s addiction to foreign oil by mandating the production of flex fuel vehicles and the installation of blender pumps. By omitting these measures from the bill, the Senate is maintaining our addiction to foreign oil rather than investing in a home grown fuel that has been proven to be cleaner and more economically beneficial for our country.

“We will be working with Members of Congress to offer amendments to accomplish the policy goals that should have been adopted years ago to secure our nation’s energy independence.”