“An increase in the ethanol blend rate is a clear example of how innovative and committed the Obama administration is to continuing the march towards energy independence.”

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2009– Keith Bolin, President of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) stated that his organization was disappointed by today’s announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency to postpone a decision to allow higher blends of ethanol in the nation’s gasoline supply, but was optimistic that a positive decision would be made on the issue in the coming year.

Last May, ACGA submitted official comments to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson supporting a waiver request by Growth Energy to allow increased use of ethanol in gasoline.

“ACGA fully supports the waiver as we have always seen biofuels as a key component in the move away from fossil fuels and a viable option to provide for a cleaner and more sustainable environment,” said Bolin.  “ACGA fully understands that this modest increase in the blend rate of ethanol will not increase harmful auto emissions and may actually reduce them and we are also well aware that the testing so far has demonstrated that automobiles and small engines can operate well on blends up to E15 and we are convinced that future testing will demonstrate that these vehicles and engines can operate on much higher ethanol blends.”

“Given the numerous benefits of increasing the ethanol blend rate, ACGA strongly believes that this option will be a very wise decision by EPA to do so,” added Bolin.  “Those benefits include expanding the nation’s fuel supply, reducing carbon emissions, helping to stabilize the financial positions of struggling ethanol refiners - many owned by farmers and protecting the recent gains made in revitalizing the farm community.”

“ACGA is initially disappointed that a decision was not made this year, but we appreciate EPA’s continued review of the data and look forward to the agency’s ultimate determination of a scientifically-defensible higher blend level for future ethanol use in gasoline,” concluded Bolin. “An increase in the ethanol blend rate will be a clear example of how innovative and committed the Obama administration is to continuing the march towards energy independence.”