E15 comment period ends; EPA ruling by December; 46 organizations oppose in letter; 7,000 signature petition filed in favor

In Washington, the comment period for E15 ethanol blending closed yesterday with a flurry of last minute petitions and letters from supporters and opponents of higher blending ratios for biofuels.

The EPA has until December 1 to rule on the waiver request filed on March 6 by a coalition of ethanol industry groups, corn ethanol producers, and cellulosic ethanol companies.

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), the nation’s largest ethanol advocacy association, filed comments with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on behalf of nearly 1500 grassroots members nationwide and submitted a petition signed by 7000 individuals in support of the approval of E15. Meanwhile, 46 organizations signed a letter (here) to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson opposing the waiver permitting E15 blending.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said that, since January of 2008, cattle feeders have lost a record $5.2 billion in equity due to high feed costs and economic factors which have negatively affected beef demand. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS), in 2008, feed costs for livestock, poultry and dairy reached a record high of $45.2 billion – an increase of more than $7 billion over 2007 costs. Yet farm gate cattle and calf receipts have essentially remained flat, at between $49 and $50.2 billion during the past five years.

Groups signing the anti-E15 waiver letter are:

American Fly Fishing Trade Association
American Frozen Food Institute
American Meat Institute
American Petroleum Institute
American Sportfishing Association
Americans for Tax Reform
Association of Marina Industries
Association of Oil Pipe Lines
B.A.S.S./ESPN Outdoors
Blue Ribbon Coalition
Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatU.S.)
Center for Coastal Conservation
Clean Air Task Force
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
Council for Citizens Against Government Waste
Earthjustice
Environment America
Environmental Working Group
FarmEcon LLC
Friends Committee of National Legislation
Friends of the Earth
Grocery Manufacturers Association
Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity Institute
International Liquid Terminals Association
International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association
Marine Retailers Association of America
Motorcycle Industry Council
National Association of Truck Stop Operators
National Audubon Society
National Boating Federation
National Chicken Council
National Council of Chain Restaurants
National Marine Manufacturers Association
National Meat Association
National Petrochemical and Refiners Association
National Turkey Federation
Natural Resource Defense Council
Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
Personal Watercraft Industry Association
Public Citizen
Safe Climate Campaign
Sierra Club
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council
Snack Food Association
The Wilderness Society
Union of Concerned Scientists

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