GoodFuels

RFA CEO responds to BusinessWeek

Renewable Fuels Association head honcho Bob Dinneen has responded to an article from BuisnessWeek entitled “The Great Ethanol Scam”, available here:

“For someone like Ed Wallace, a member of the American Historical Society, to play fast and loose with facts and fail to consider the validity and reliability of his sources is as discouraging as it is shameful. Mr. Wallace’s reliance on anecdotes as science purposely misleads readers and creates unsubstantiated fear for motorists.

Much of the “evidence” cited in his opinion column dealing with the use of ethanol in vehicles is in fact the result of improper behavior by gasoline suppliers and retailers or improper fuel use and maintenance by vehicle owners. Little, if any, of his “evidence” is rooted in scientific data or study. To be clear, drivers should not use higher ethanol blends in vehicles not designed to utilize such fuels. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that all vehicles on the road can use more ethanol in gasoline than just 10 percent. Studies conducted by the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State University found no issues with material compatibility or drivability with blends of ethanol up to 20 percent in traditional vehicles.

Additionally, preliminary analysis by the U.S. Department of Energy supports those findings. It is entirely possible and well within the scope of the federal government to certify ethanol blends higher than 10 percent. While the Environmental Protection Agency is considering moving to 15 percent blends, it should move immediately to something in the range of 12 or 13 percent. The law and the science both support such an interim move while the full 15 percent waiver request is considered. Reliance on anecdotal stories to discredit the ethanol industry (not to mention the use of widely refuted and oil industry funded studies such as those done by Tad Patzek) is irresponsible journalism and a disservice to the readers of BusinessWeek.”