Oct. 27: Increased ethanol production and use have gained further support from governmental officials. The Midwest Legislative Conference of The Council of State Governments issued a series of resolutions recently containing policy resolutions adopted that aim to increase the use of both ethanol and blender pumps. Additionally, the group adopted resolutions calling for use of sound scientific methods when calculating carbon emissions.
Specifically, the first resolution calls for “implementation of both federal and state legislation to provide incentives to encourage the implementation of ethanol blender pumps.” MLC adopted this resolution after considering the viability of higher ethanol blends and that of blender pump usage as a vehicle through which to deliver them.
“The National Corn Growers Association is very pleased that these officials have chosen to push for the adoption of increased levels of ethanol in gasoline blends and blender pumps,” said Jon Holzfaster, chairman of NCGA’s Ethanol Committee. “We have long known that if politicians and the public would understand the advantages of ethanol that they would become supportive. As legislators actively push for this technology, we feel that we are on the verge of a movement toward the choice and independence that ethanol can provide.”
The MLC members considered the effects of using higher ethanol blends on vehicles, current U.S. government energy policy and job creation. When looking at the pertinent data, MLC came to the conclusion that “the scientific data from extensive state and federally funded research supports the use of higher blends of ethanol in gasoline.”
The group found that “operating on a 20 percent blend of ethanol fuel [a vehicle] will perform better than those running on a 10 percent ethanol blend.” This would require an increase from the current “arbitrary cap on the volume of ethanol permitted in gasoline at just 10 percent.” Specifically, MLC noted that research shows “higher levels of ethanol in gasoline…can increase fuel economy, boost efficiency of fuel use and reduce cost of [vehicle] operation.”
Findings showed that the transition to higher ethanol blends, specifically at least E15, would also be “necessary if the nation is to meet the schedule for biofuels set forth in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.” Meeting this standard ensures forward motion on an issue critical to our national security.
The MLC also considered U.S. Department of Energy estimates that state “for every one billion gallons of ethanol produced, between 10,000 and 20,000 jobs are created, meaning approval of an E15 blend could create more than 100,000 jobs.” This could aid in our economic recovery and in reversing the current employment crisis.
They then looked at the feasibility of blender pumps in the regions which the members represent. The use of blender pumps would allow customers to choose which ethanol blend that they would prefer much like they currently select between different octane gasolines. In doing so, those wishing to optimize their vehicle’s performance or move toward energy independence more quickly could select the 20 percent ethanol blend option. Also, blender pumps are a win-win for both the consumer and the retailer, as Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV’s) could fuel at the same pump as other vehicles.
Members chose to adopt the resolution calling for blender pump adoption after considering current use of blender pumps for gasoline, historic adoption of this technology in Midwestern states and the increased choice that it provides customers.
As mentioned above, these types of pumps are widely used today for other types of blending, and most customers are comfortable with this type of fuel delivery. It is therefore logical to conclude that they would also be comfortable with the technology itself when used to convey ethanol blended gasoline.
The MLC noted that “Midwestern states have shown proven leadership in support and implementation of blender pump technology and installation.” As there have been no major changes in stance toward the technology, it is logical to conclude that they would be equally cooperative in the use of this technology for this purpose.
Finally, the group stated they considered how “blender pumps provide customers with increased choice in their purchase of fuel.” This aspect of blender pumps is important as it does not force customers to transition, but instead allows them further option to select what they believe to be their best option.
The second resolution calls asserts that ethanol and other biofuels be “provided a level playing field by federal and state authorities in the calculation of the effects of indirect land use [and]… supports continued research into life-cycle analysis of all fuels and the inclusion of sound scientific data” in policy formulation.
Currently, both state and federal government agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board are using or have proposed the inclusion of international indirect land-use changes in the greenhouse gas calculation of biofuels.
The MLC noted that “numerous research reports have shown that existing international indirect land-use change calculations are based on outdated assumptions, ignore increasing efficiency in crop production and provide no credit for the feed or fertilizer value of biofuels production byproducts.” Thus, the use of this criterion in its current format is scientifically flawed.
“That the MLC has chosen to speak out against controversial and convoluted lifecycle analyses that are flawed, is a powerful statement,” said Holzfaster. “In doing so, they have shown that legislators evaluating solid research can come to conclusions that are positive for our environment and farmers instead of simply buying into alarmist propaganda.”
The Midwest Legislative Conference will submit these resolutions to appropriate federal, state and provincial officials. The conference is a bipartisan association of state legislators representing 11 Midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Its purpose is to foster intergovernmental exchange of information and ideas and to promote regional and interstate cooperation on issues of common concern.