Some in the ethanol industry are seeking approval in Congress of proposals to increase the amount of ethanol in gasoline by 50%, from the current 10% to 15%.
The text of the letter is below:
July 26, 2010
The Honorable Harry Reid
Senate Majority Leader
United States [image-nocss] Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Senate Minority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Re: Opposition to Potential Amendment on Authorization of Mid-Level Ethanol Blends
Dear Senators Reid& McConnell:
The undersigned organizations urge you to oppose any amendment to the upcoming Senate energy bill that would authorize legislatively the introduction into commerce of ethanol blends higher than ten percent (so-called mid-level ethanol blends) for use in conventional gasoline-powered engines. Such an amendment would short-circuit existing two-year joint Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy and industry research projects designed to insure that mid-level ethanol blends do not harm gasoline-powered engines, defeat emissions control devices, pose safety risks to consumers, or increase emissions from these engines.
Sound science, environmental protection and consumer safetynot politicsmust guide this important decision. Section 211(f) of the Clean Air Act mandates a detailed scientific review before new fuels, additives, or fuel blends are introduced into commerce. EPA is in the midst of carrying out this review, including soliciting public comment from all stakeholders on the introduction of mid-level ethanol blends. This review must be allowed to continue and must not be pre-empted by Congress.
We collectively urge you to reject any attempt to attach a mid-level ethanol authorization amendment during the Senate's consideration of energy legislation in the coming weeks and months. Such an amendment would be bad for consumers, bad for safety, bad for the environment and, by placing politics over sound science, bad public policy.
The signatory groups include: American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) American Lung Association American Meat Institute (AMI) American Petroleum Institute (API) American Sportfishing Association (ASA) American Watercraft Association (AWA) Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) Association of Marina Industries Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society/ESPN Outdoors Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatU.S.) Center for Coastal Conservation Clean Air Task Force Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) Earthjustice Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) Environmental Working Group Friends of the Earth Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) The Hispanic Institute Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) National Boating Federation (NBF) National Council of Chain Restaurants (NCCR) National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA) Sierra Club Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) Snack Food Association (SFA) Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA) Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) The Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA)
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