Wisconsin Ethanol Coalition: Endorses Goal for Energy Independence

Contact: Joshua Morby, 414-791-9120

Goal Set for 25% of our Transportation Fuel from Renewable Sources by 2025

Green Bay – The Wisconsin Ethanol Coalition today endorsed Governor Jim Doyle’s plan to make Wisconsin the nation’s leader in energy independence.

Governor Jim Doyle was joined by private sector employers and environmental leaders in Madison and Green Bay for the signing of Wisconsin’s “Declaration of Energy Independence.” The plan sets an ambitious goal for the state to become the nation’s leader in the drive toward energy independence.

“Wisconsin’s commitment to renewable energy and biofuels is good news for everyone,” said Sue Beitlich Wisconsin Farmers Union President, a lead partner in the coalition. “Not only will it create more jobs and strengthen our economy in Wisconsin, it will keep our environment cleaner and reduces our nation’s vulnerability by reducing dependence on foreign fuel sources.”

“We are very encouraged by the State’s commitment to generating 25 percent of our transportation fuel from renewable fuels,” Beitlich said. “This is an important step forward to reducing our dependency on foreign energy sources, supporting our agricultural sector and creating jobs for hard-working families in Wisconsin.”

Ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline, it is a completely renewable, domestic, environmentally friendly fuel that enhances the nation’s economy and energy independence. Consumers currently use ethanol for their vehicles in one of two ways:

· E-10 Unleaded is a blend of 90% ordinary unleaded gasoline with 10% ethanol—a high-octane, clean-burning fuel. Every major car maker in the world approves the use of 10% ethanol blends (E-10 Unleaded) in their engines.

· E85 is the term for motor fuel blends of 85 percent ethanol and just 15 percent gasoline. E85 flexible fuel vehicles are designed to run on E85, gasoline, or any blend of the two.

The Wisconsin Ethanol Coalition is a group of more than 100 diverse organizations, including small businesses, labor groups, farmers, manufacturers, local governments, agricultural groups, and the state’s top environmental organizations. The ethanol industry is proud to have bipartisan support in Wisconsin.

To find out more about the ethanol industry in Wisconsin, or to find a list of coalition members, please visit www.wisconsinethanol.com.