Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance

For audio of this Tuesday Truth please click here: Tuesday Truth #47 (30 sec.).  For an extended version, click here: Tuesday Truth #47 (60 sec.)

Ethanol and ethanol-blended fuels are critical in improving the quality of the air we breathe right here in Wisconsin. Here are a few facts:

• The number of days in Southeast Wisconsin that have exceed federal ozone standards has decreased by 45% since the use of ethanol in fuels. [Source: http://www.wfbf.com/ethanol.htm#air, accessed 7/6/09]
• The American Lung Association credits ethanol-blended reformulated gasoline with reducing smog-forming emissions by 25% since 1990. [Source: Renewable Fuels Association, Ethanol Facts, http://www.ethanolrfa.org/resource/facts/environment/, accessed 7/6/09]
• Ethanol-blended fuels reduce tailpipe emissions of volatile organic compounds by at least 12 percent and reduce tailpipe carbon monoxide emissions by as much as 30 percent. [Source: Renewable Fuels Association, Ethanol Facts, http://www.ethanolrfa.org/resource/facts/environment/, accessed 7/6/09]

Breaking our dependence on expensive foreign oil is essential to reducing gasoline prices, food prices and costs throughout our economy. As Americans continue to feel the pain of rising fuel prices, this July Fourth must represent America’s push for a new kind of independence—energy independence.

We must break from the one of the greatest oppressive forces facing American’s today and declare this Energy Independence Week.

Achieving energy independence won’t be easy but will require the same tenacity and strength that Americans have shown in the past. It will take hard work, innovation, investment, conservation, collaboration and patience. It will require that we change to a more diversified energy portfolio of clean, domestically produced alternative fuels that will help reduce greenhouse gasses that cause climate change while lowering our dependence on foreign oil.

Consumers must stand up and unify in demanding that we find clean, renewable solutions to our dependence on expensive petroleum. With fuel prices again rising, it’s time to act.

High worldwide demand, political conflicts and the far-reaching economic crisis are putting pressure on our limited supply of fossil fuels and driving up prices. While supplies are limited, demand is only increasing and consumers need an alternative.

Unfortunately, today 40 percent of our energy comes from petroleum and 22 percent is derived from coal. That adds up to more than $1 billion the United States spends on imported oil daily. It’s an expensive habit, and our inability to work together to find viable solutions to our dependence on fossil fuels is adding up quickly.

Biofuels remain the only current viable fuel alternative, despite headlines splashed with anti-ethanol sentiments. To secure a future of energy independence, we must create a more diversified portfolio, one that includes ethanol.

Wisconsin is on pace to produce 500 million gallons of ethanol a year. We’re helping to lead the way to American independence by producing a clean, renewable fuel alternative. Ethanol production in Wisconsin is helping to remove our dependency from foreign oil while providing jobs and strengthening Wisconsin’s economy. The average 40-million-gallon ethanol plant creates 32 full-time jobs and provides $1.2 million in tax revenue for a community.

In 2008, ethanol displaced more than 300 million barrels of imported oil. This is the equivalent of not importing any oil for 33 days. Developing clean alternative fuels and renewable energy and improving energy efficiency must remain at the forefront of our domestic agenda. In 2010, using domestically produced oil and ethanol only, American consumers could drive for 185 days without using foreign oil or to July 4, 2010—Energy Independence Day.

But this is far from enough. The situation is too urgent to allow corporate and political self-interest to prevent us from progress. We must end the finger-pointing and band together in the fight for energy independence. To do this, we must turn our support to ethanol and biofuels. Together, we can work to provide a clean, renewable form of energy that will help us to find our Energy Independence.

In an effort to connect with a wider audience, the Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance (WBIA) is proud to announce the launch of a new social media campaign.

With over 200 million active users on Facebook alone, social media has become an invaluable way to connect with people everywhere,” said Joshua Morby, Executive Director of the WBIA. “As biofuels become more widely available, we hope to reach a new audience to discuss all the benefits of these clean, renewable fuel alternatives.”

Fans of the Facebook page, followers on Twitter and LinkedIn connections will be able to view WBIA press releases, upcoming events, news about the industry and participate in online discussions.

“Each social media platform has its own unique benefits,” said Morby. “Users will be able to access information about the WBIA and biofuels in a way that’s convenient for them, and we hope this user-friendly approach will help people learn more about the benefits of biofuels.”

To connect with the WBIA, visit us at Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

The Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance (WBIA) hosted a media event today to discuss the importance of increasing the number of blender pumps in Wisconsin. Working in partnership with representatives from the Renewable Fuels Association, the American Coalition for Ethanol, Growth Energy, the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association and the American Lung Association, Wisconsin’s bio fuel producers are drawing attention to the benefits of increased ethanol use in Wisconsin.

While there are more than 100 locations across the state where consumers can purchase gasoline blended with up to 85 percent ethanol, there are fewer than 30 locations across Wisconsin where consumers have the choice to purchase fuel blended with different levels of ethanol. Blender pumps allow consumers to determine what percentage of gasoline and ethanol they would like to purchase for their vehicle. When visiting the fueling station, consumers are able to select a variety of fuels, including E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline), E20 (20% ethanol, 80% gasoline), or E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline).

“Consumers should be given a choice. Whether you want a gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol for your boat or small engine, or you chose to purchase ethanol blended with 20 percent or 85 percent ethanol for your flex fuel vehicle, blender pumps give you those options,” said Joshua Morby, Executive Director of the WBIA. “We’re working closely with our partners nationally to increase the number of blender pumps not only in Wisconsin but throughout the United States.”

“Blender pumps mean increased opportunities for Wisconsinites to choose more home-grown ethanol and less foreign oil,” said Phil Lampert, Vice President of Market Development, Growth Energy. “American-made ethanol is good for our economy, our environment and our energy security. Growth Energy is proud to help lead the charge to increase the availability and use of both blender pumps and mid-level ethanol blends across the country.”

“Blender pumps provide a better solution for retailers and for consumers, and is why their popularity is increasing both locally and nationally,” said Robert White, Director of Market Development for the Renewable Fuels Association. “This movement, just like those in the past, starts here in the Midwest. Wisconsin is setting an example for others to follow, providing more opportunity to advance the use of alternative fuels.”

The ACE/RFA National Blender Pump Program has the goal to establish 5,000 blender pumps in the next 3 years across the country. ACE and RFA are partnering with many of the state corn grower organizations, and have already begun laying the initial groundwork for this effort.