Contact: Joshua Morby (414) 791-9120
Milwaukee – As American consumers pinch their pennies to drive and celebrate the country’s Independence Day with family and friends this year, the Wisconsin Ethanol Coalition, in partnership with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC), is calling for July 4th to be celebrated as Energy Independence Day 2008.
“We can no longer ignore the reality that out nation’s dependence on foreign oil is costing us dearly. While Wisconsin consumers are struggling with skyrocketing gasoline prices, they are frustrated and looking for solutions,” said Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle. “Biofuels must remain a key component of a long term renewable energy portfolio for this nation.”
Last year, just seven percent of the U.S. energy supply was from clean and renewable domestic sources. But consumers can turn that tide. In 2009, by using domestically produced petroleum and ethanol only, American consumers could drive for 186 days without using foreign oil.
“Wisconsin citizens can drive from January 1st to Energy Independence Day 2009 without ever once needing foreign oil,” said Joshua Morby, spokesman for the Wisconsin Ethanol Coalition.
The United States spends more than $1 billion a day on imported foreign oil and depends heavily on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), whose members produce more than 40 percent of the world’s crude oil. OPEC also controls two-thirds of the global oil reserves. In an effort to curb this dependence, Energy Independence Day underscores the nation’s drive toward domestic renewable fuel sources.
Consumers can support Energy Independence Day by joining the charge for unity in finding clean, renewable solutions to dependence on expensive fuel. And, by combining trips, using public transportation, carpooling, and using ethanol-enriched gasoline this summer, we can reduce our draw on the fuel supply.
The Wisconsin Ethanol Coalition is proud to partner with EPIC, a nonprofit alliance of ethanol industry leaders to grow consumer demand for ethanol energy through targeted marketing.
