Noem Criticizes Obama EPA's E15 Decision as "Not Enough"

Press Release

EPA Administrator Should Resign

Kristi Noem, candidate for South Dakota's lone congressional seat, blasted the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement for only partial approval of the E15 blend (15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline) for use in certain vehicles and called for the EPA to approve use for conventional vehicles made in 2001 and newer. The waiver approves use of E15 in vehicles with a model year of 2007 or newer.

"After nearly a year of delays and missed deadlines on making a decision to approve the E15 blend, the Obama Administration is now only announcing a partial approval. Unfortunately, the EPA's decision is a year late and billions of gallons short of expanding the market for ethanol in a significant manner. It simply isn't enough. Democrats in Washington, DC seem more concerned about pleasing extreme environmentalists rather than creating alternative energy jobs or reducing our dependence on foreign oil," said Noem.

The EPA partial approval announcement was only limited to on-road vehicles manufactured since 2007. Numerous tests have shown that E15 works for older vehicles manufactured as early as 2001. This limited approval of E15 will do little to increase production and use of E15 and is likely to create customer confusion. Full approval of E15 could create up to 136,000 new jobs.

"Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin endorsed Barack Obama for President in 2008 saying he would be good for rural America. She couldn't have been more wrong. President Obama's EPA, has hurt South Dakota farmers, ranchers, and small business owners with decision after decision, whether it is backdoor regulation on carbon emission, possibly regulating dust, or now dragging their feet on a comprehensive E15 decision. Unfortunately Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin has refused to join me in asking for the EPA Administrator's resignation," said Noem.

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