The Usual Suspects Continue Ethanol Attack
Posted: July 26, 2009
The usual suspects are at it again.
A coalition of groups sent letters to the Senate Environment and Public Works and Appropriations Committees last week advocating “scientific integrity in federal ethanol policy.” Seems they don’t like the five year delay in implementation of the land-use analysis for biofuels that was adopted in the House-passed climate bill. The groups include the same folks who have been attacking corn ethanol for the past several years, including the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, Environmental Working Group, Friends of the Earth, Grocery Manufacturers Association, Snack Food Manufacturers, etc.
According to a press release, “the letters to Senate committee leadership urged them to oppose legislation that would prohibit the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from market-induced deforestation in the lifecycle account for biofuels. Similar attempts were successful in the House’s recently passed climate bill. Biofuels that cause these types of greenhouse gas emissions are also the same biofuels that contribute to increased food prices around the world.”
The release also includes a couple of choice quotes from the various groups:
“It makes little sense to increase the already lavish federal support for corn ethanol, a fuel that has failed in its promise to help the environment and make America energy independent.”
“As we learn more about the impacts of biofuels, it has become clear that today’s biofuels take us backwards in terms of global warming, while increasing global hunger.”
“Sound, verifiable science should always guide the crafting and implementation of environmental and energy policy.”
Problem here is that they are making claims that are NOT backed by science and urging Congress to rush into using unproven methodology to measure environmental effects.
The usual suspects are guilty once again of spreading misinformation and continuing attacks on ethanol for their own self interest.
