WASHINGTON – NFU President Rob Larew advocated for ethanol to play a larger role in the transition to low-pollutant vehicles during an Environmental Protection Agency hearing today.
“NFU has long urged EPA to support rural America by promoting higher-level blends of ethanol as a cost-effective means of achieving required and improved octane levels, and we ask Administrator Regan to stand by his commitment to work with the agricultural community,” President Larew said in his testimony. “Increased use of mid-level ethanol blends will provide added and significant GHG emissions reductions as well as reducing harmful and cancer-causing pollutants, such as PM and air toxics.”
President Larew expressed concern that the EPA’s proposed rule for “Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles” gives unfair advantage to electric cars, while failing to take advantage of ongoing vehicle improvements that allow for reduced greenhouse gas emission using high-octane fuels like mid-level ethanol blends.
NFU continues to be a strong supporter of higher-level blends of ethanol, which can contribute to a green energy transition and provide economic opportunities to rural communities.