U.S. Ethanol Ready to Create Clean Jobs

In his address to Congress last week, Obama announced a $447 billion proposal to put Americans back to work immediately, and he implored the House and Senate to pass it right away. He didn't mention clean-energy jobs once, but observers reading between the lines see areas where the sector could gain, including creating an infrastructure bank and retrofitting schools to become more energy efficient.

Today's Energy and Environment Expert Blog asks the question: What role can energy and environment policies play in jump-starting the economy? Is the nascent renewable-energy sector growing fast enough to make green jobs a realistic policy option right now? What policies did Obama leave out that should be included in his plan?

Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis responded with the following post:

The Administration’s continued dedication to renewable fuel and investments in American infrastructure demonstrates that President Obama recognizes the role that a robust biofuels industry can play in making America's economy the world's strongest once again.

Ethanol, made right here in our backyards, has provided an unparalleled, value-added opportunity for agriculture and America. At ten percent of our fuel supply, ethanol has reduced our dependence on foreign oil, improved our environment and generated more than 400,000 jobs in our local communities.

And, with the right policy moves – moves which would essentially lift the regulatory caps that prevent its natural expansion into what is currently a market captive to oil – the American ethanol industry can create even more good paying jobs in every state across the country.

Policies that open the market to increase the demand for both grain ethanol – which is increasing in efficiency every day – and next generation biofuels, will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and keep money in the U.S. economy, where it will go to work creating American jobs.

For example, investing in an infrastructure program that would break the hold that global oil companies have on our motor fuels market will give consumers a choice and savings at the pump. This means encouraging the installation of Flex Fuel pumps, and encouraging the production and sale of Flex Fuel vehicles.

We must also renew the call – first made in the bipartisan 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act – to produce 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel by 2022. We are well on our way, and with the right policies in place, we can easily realize that goal.

By opening up the market to more first generation ethanol and next generation ethanol – which would ultimately expand the ethanol industry beyond the Midwest to all 50 states – we can generate new high-paying jobs, increased market opportunities for farmers, additional household income and tax revenues.

Getting our economy back on track will undoubtedly take time, but America has the talent, ability and ingenuity to answer the monetary, energy and environmental challenges we face. America’s ethanol producers are ready to help lead the way.