Originally published June 15 2005
EPA smog-rule decision could boost ethanol use
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
This SanDiego.com article describes a federal order requiring California to blend gas with a smog-fighting additive, ethanol, despite the states heavy objections.
The long-awaited decision could rally California's ethanol industry as it seeks to expand its market share in the nation's most car-crazy, gas-gobbling state.
Ethanol is the additive of choice among refiners complying with a federal directive to curb pollution by blending an oxygenate into fuel supplies to make cleaner-burning gas.
California motorists this year are expected to use nearly 1 billion gallons of ethanol, much of it subsidized by federal tax breaks and aid to Midwest corn growers.
Republican Schwarzenegger, like Democrat Gray Davis before him, argued that California should be excused from the requirement because its clean-fuel standards are the world's benchmark.
"Even beyond the air quality benefits, a waiver can play an important role in moderating gasoline price spikes that have been experienced recently in California," Schwarzenegger said in a 2004 letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
In rejecting Schwarzenegger's plea, the agency said the state had failed to prove that the mandate interferes with efforts to reduce air pollution.
The EPA rejected similar waiver requests from New York and Connecticut.
Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., called the EPA decision "a big disappointment."
California regulations accomplish the goals of the Clean Air Act, to reduce emissions and pollutants, without requiring a minimum level of oxygenate year-round," she said.
Feinstein cited comments from state officials who argued that use of ethanol increases emissions of smog-forming pollutants during the summer months.
It says the corn-based additive has had a positive impact on air quality in California, stretches gas supplies and lowers gas prices because it costs less per gallon than gasoline without additives or gas with a likely ethanol substitute.
"California will need every last drop of ethanol it can find and produce to help meet these challenging clean-air goals," said Bill Jones, a Republican who represents ethanol interests in California.
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