Ethanol Industry Sets Record Production in January
11 March 2000
'We're Moving Right Now to Meet California's Need for a Clean Air Fuel That Doesn't Pollute Water,' Says Renewable Fuels' Eric VaughnWASHINGTON - The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today announced that according to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the domestic ethanol industry set a new record for production during January, averaging over 107,000 barrels per day (b/d) for the month. This tops the previous record of 106,000 b/d set in October of 1999. Over 139 million gallons of ethanol were produced in January -- enough to oxygenate 2.4 billion gallons of reformulated gasoline (RFG) or 77% of the RFG sold in January. "The ethanol industry is growing to meet the demand for clean burning renewable fuels," said Eric Vaughn, President of the RFA. "We're moving right now to meet California's need for a clean air fuel that doesn't pollute water. We can replace MTBE in California's gasoline today." The record high price of gasoline and record low price of corn is focusing attention on renewable ethanol as a cost-efficient way to maintain clean air standards while preventing further contamination of groundwater and drinking water by an alternative oxygenate, MTBE. MTBE has polluted water supplies from California to New Hampshire. California has banned MTBE by 2003 and other states, as well as members of the U.S. Congress, are looking at a ban as well. "The ethanol industry is proving it can meet the demand for a clean air gasoline oxygen additive," said Vaughn. "We are ramping up production in anticipation of a greater role in providing Californians and others with a safe, clean, renewable gasoline. Californians' want clean air, clean water, and an affordable, high performance gasoline. Ethanol does all that and more. As a domestic, renewable source of energy, it helps our farmers, saves tax expenditures on farm programs, and reduces our dependence on foreign oil cartels." For more information, visit the Renewable Fuels Association website at: http://www.ethanolRFA.org.