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Goodlatte urges rejection of ethanol proposal

While saying he’s a “strong supporter of renewable fuels,” Congressman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia last week urged President Obama, Ag Secretary Vilsack and EPA administrator Lisa Jackson not to approve the current ethanol blend increase request. Goodlatte, the ranking member of the House Ag Committee, says “many other members of Congress” have joined him in a letter saying an ethanol blend above 10 percent in gasoline could “result in serious economic consequences that could negatively affect already struggling Americans.”Goodlatte asserts that raising the blend would decrease fuel efficiency in automobiles and “increase food costs for all Americans.”

Matt Hartwig with the Renewable Fuels Association says Goodlatte is exaggerating the effects of an ethanol blend increase. Hartwig says the impact of corn ethanol on food prices was minimal compared to the driving force of high energy prices on food costs last summer. And, he says the effect of a slight percentage decrease in fuel efficiency is negligible, “The benefits in terms of job creation, environmental benefits and the fact that we are not importing oil from places like Venezuela or Saudi Arabia far outweigh outweigh any minor impact on fuel economy that drivers may or may not see.” The EPA is taking public comment until May 21st on the pending waiver to the Clean Air Act that would allow for blends of up to 15 percent ethanol. The EPA has until December first to decide.