Wisconsin Coalition Perseveres Despite Ethanol Bill Loss

Madison, Wisconsin [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Despite Wisconsin State Senate’s narrow (17-15) rejection of a 10% ethanol blend for pumps statewide, the Wisconsin Ethanol Coalition will continue to promote the ethanol industry and its benefits to Wisconsin. AB 15, known as the ethanol bill, would create new jobs, lower gasoline prices, lower emissions, and reduce the state’s dependence on foreign oil.

The bill passed the State Assembly in December (54-38), and Governor Doyle has pledged to sign it into law. The Wisconsin Ethanol Coalition says it has the support of both Republican and Democratic legislators, i.e., the vote did not fall along party lines. “It’s unfortunate that the big oil companies prevented this bill from becoming law with their campaign of lies and misinformation,” said Bill Oemichen, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, a lead partner in the coalition. “But this is an important issue for Wisconsin, and we will continue our efforts to pass this bill and make Wisconsin a leader in ethanol production. We’d like to thank Governor Doyle and the legislators from both parties who support AB 15, and we will continue to work with them to make sure it becomes law.” Support for the ethanol bill has been building over the past several months. More than 100 organizations — including labor groups, small businesses, farmers, manufacturers, local governments, agricultural groups, and the state’s top environmental organizations — have joined the Wisconsin Ethanol Coalition. According to the Consumer Federation of America, consumers who fill up with E-10, a blend of 10 percent ethanol and gas, save up to 10 cents a gallon at the pump. Other Midwestern states that have already passed similar legislation include Illinois and Minnesota.