GoodFuels

Good Fuel in Maryland

Here’s a great story about ethanol in Maryland from the Baltimore Sun, written by Ted Shelsby “On the farm.” I didn’t even know they still had farm reporters for newspapers in major metro areas on the east coast!

The story talks about the opening of E85 pumps in Maryland at stations in Rockville, Frederick, Takoma Park and Germantown. It quotes Lynne Hoot, executive director of the Maryland Grain Producers Association, as saying that E-85 was not only putting more money in the pockets of motorists, it was also helping farmers pay their bills.

It also quotes Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley from a press conference he held last month announcing the four new E85 stations. In a press release from that announcement, O’Malley said, “With these new E-85 facilities, we’ll continue to make Maryland’s transportation fleet less dependent on fossil fuels, strengthening the energy future of our State for generations to come. These upfront investments in our alternative fuel infrastructure position Maryland to take advantage of the rapid advances in the next generation of non-food-based ethanol while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

It’s very important to notice that he made the point that investing in first generation ethanol will help advance the next generation of the fuel. That shows great foresight that some other governors could use - like maybe Rick Perry of Texas?

It’s also important to note that Maryland is a pretty big poultry producing state and there are no quotes in the article from poultry producers complaining about ethanol production, which is interesting, but it does point out that ethanol has helped increase grain prices for farmers in Maryland and lower gas prices for consumers. Unusually one-sided reporting in favor of ethanol - kind of refreshing!