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NCGA's Technical Data Helps EPA Make the Correct Decision on the California
Waiver (6-12-01)
The National Corn
Growers Association (NCGA) is celebrating Environmental Protection Agency's
(EPA) decision this morning to deny California's request for a waiver
from the federal oxygen content requirement for reformulated gasoline.
"After more
than two years of uncertainty on this issue, NCGA applauds the Bush
Administration for reaching the correct decision on the waiver,"
said Tim Hume, NCGA president-elect, a grower from Walsh, Colo.
In announcing the
decision, EPA stated: "After an extensive analysis, the Agency
concluded that there is significant uncertainty over the change in emissions
that would result from a waiver. California has not clearly demonstrated
what the impact on smog would be from a waiver of the oxygen mandate."
"NCGA supplied
EPA with the factual data - in the form of a technical analysis - to
help secure a favorable decision," explained Hume. "Specifically,
NCGA's data demonstrated that adding ethanol to California's gasoline
would improve air quality and protect water resources. EPA's comments
on its reasons to deny the waiver indicated the role that such data
assumed. Without funding from the state checkoff boards, NCGA's technical
data would not have been available to influence the administration's
decision."
Ethanol production
for this year is on schedule to exceed 2 billion gallons. With 600 million
gallons of ethanol obligated for clean fuels programs, there is plenty
of ethanol available to meet the needs of California motorists. And
ethanol production capacity is expected to increase significantly, because
the uncertainty surrounding the waiver has dissuaded growers from investing
in new ethanol plants and increasing capacity at existing facilities.
"EPA's decision-coupled
with congressional initiatives to incorporate a renewable fuels standard
in emerging energy policy-will enable ethanol producers to help meet
national energy security goals, facilitate environmental stewardship
and promote economic development for rural communities," Hume concluded.
Last
reviewed June 12, 2001
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