Citing the need to further investigate the consequences of increasing the mix, the EPA now says a decision will be made this fall. The announcement was applauded by those who oppose the increase, but was slammed by Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, the number one ethanol advocate in the US.
In a letter sent to the White House, to President Obama himself and posted on the organization's website, Buis says the waiver they've submitted to the EPA on the matter contained "a significant body of data" which supports the increase.
"As you would expect, we find this further delay unacceptable. The fact that the federal agencies involved here cannot meet their own deadlines – on a decision that means so much to our nation – reinforces a public perception that government bureaucracy does not work in the best interests of the public," Buis says.
"Approval of our waiver would create more than 136,000 new jobs in the U.S., reduce our dependence on foreign oil by 7 billion gallons, reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 10.5 million cars from the road, and revitalize our rural communities."
On the other hand, Charles Territo, representative of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, says the delay only reflects the need to further investigate the effects of an increase amount of ethanol on the engines. "Ultimately it must be based on sound science, not political expediency,” Territo says.
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