We all want energy policies that ensure that we have affordable, reliable power for our economy, while protecting natural resources. And for years, we’ve been writing that ethanol subsidies are counterproductive on all these measures – particularly for the environment.
And as IWF’s Jillian Melchoir reports, now there’s an environmentalist who is taking the lead in making that case:
A prominent Michigan environmentalist announced this month that he’ll spend big to lobby against the ethanol mandate, which he calls “a farce” and “a very environmentally damaging policy.”
..Compared to gasoline, it does emit less carbon when burnt—but emissions of nitrous oxide and volatile organic compounds are actually higher than petroleum. Expand the picture beyond the fueling station and cars, and things get even more complicated, because making ethanol from corn is often a very carbon-intensive process.
Jerry Jung, the wealthy Michigan environmentalist attacking ethanol, voiced similar concerns.
“Ethanol production requires 35 million acres to farm; that’s more than the size of Michigan,” he recently told Crain’s. “The amount of pollution this produces is staggering.”
Jung has already launched a website, RethinkEthanol.com. He’s also hired a lobbyist and arranged meetings with Nancy Pelosi and Paul Ryan. Finally, he’s preparing to file suit against the Environmental Protection Agency.
That’s great news for all Americans who care about sound energy policy—and a healthy environment. You can learn more by visiting RethinkEthanol.com. Then, please click on the social media icons below to share this important story with your friends and family.