December 12, 2019: Following her remarks at the Glacial Lakes Energy annual shareholders meeting last week, a broad group of ethanol, agriculture, and clean air supporters commended South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem for her leadership in advancing 30% ethanol blends.
Long considered the “sweet spot” for optimum ethanol blend volumes, the Governor has taken a leadership role in calling for E30 to be used in legacy vehicles, including the state fleet. In a letter to the Governor, ethanol producers Jim Seurer of Glacial Lakes Energy, Pam Miller of Siouxland Energy, and Ron Alverson of Dakota Ethanol joined with Doug Sombke of the South Dakota Farmers Union and Dave VanderGriend of the Urban Air Initiative urging Governor Noem to continue to underscore the importance of the Watertown E30 Challenge.
The group notes that numerous studies resulting from the use of E30 to date show the 260 million cars on the road today can use this high octane, low carbon fuel. To date, Watertown area consumers have purchased over 5.6 million gallons of the premium E30 fuel and have driven over 112 million miles without any issue while using E30 in their non-flex fuel vehicles. Consumers continue to prove that E30 will not damage your engine, reduces toxic tailpipe emissions, and saves consumers significantly at the pump.
The letter commends Governor Noem’s efforts to challenge the Environmental Protection Agency’s interpretation of fuel regulations that claim ethanol volumes of 30% are not legal. It also applauds Governor Noem for declaring February 19, 2019 South Dakota “E30 Day” in both the house and the senate at the state capitol.
Automakers are phasing out flex fuel vehicles (FFVs), so unless EPA reverses course and recognizes that E30 blends can be legally sold and used in legacy vehicles, our companies and other E30 supporters will challenge EPA’s indefensible misinterpretation in the courts” said the letter.
“If EPA is finally made to do its job and replace gasoline aromatics with high octane, low carbon ethanol, America’s farms will be unleashed to protect America’s cities, especially our children. There will be many winners, including farmers as well as those who live in population centers where clean air is so important.”
Click here for a copy of the letter.
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For Further Information Contact:
Jim Seurer, Glacial Lakes Energy, jseurer@glaciallakesenergy.com
Doug Sombke, South Dakota Farmers Union Dsombke@sdfu.org