The American Meat Institute (AMI) is joined by 35 diverse stakeholders in urging Senate leaders to block any amendment to the Senate energy bill that would authorize boosting ethanol blends beyond 10% for use in gas-powered engines.

“Such an amendment would short-circuit existing two-year joint Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy and Industry research projects designed to insure that mid-level ethanol blends do not harm gasoline-powered engines, defeat emissions control devices, pose safety risks to consumers or increase emissions from these engines. Sound science, environmental protection and consumer safety – not politics – must guide this important decision,” states the letter sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Section 211 of the Clean Air Act mandates a detailed scientific review before new fuels, additives or fuel blends are introduced into commerce. EPA is in the process of carrying out this review, including soliciting public comment on the introduction of mid-level ethanol blends.

“This review must be allowed to continue and must not be pre-empted by Congress. We collectively urge you to reject any attempt to attach a mid-level ethanol authorization amendment during the Senate’s consideration of energy legislation in the coming weeks and months. Such an amendment would be bad for consumers, bad for safety, bad for the environment and by placing politics over sound science, bad public policy,” the letter concludes.