IL CORN FARMER TESTIFIES AT CONGRESSIONAL HEARING FOR HIGH OCTANE FUELS

Tricia Braid

Apr 13, 2018  |  Today's News |  Ethanol |  Legislation & Regulation

“Farmers are growing more corn—or octane - per acre than ever before,” said Paul Jeschke, a farmer from Mazon, Illinois, who testified before Congress today at the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment hearing titled High Octane Fuels and High Efficiency Vehicles: Challenges and Opportunities. A growing body of evidence shows that high-octane midlevel ethanol blends offer the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective route to increased vehicle efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Corn-based ethanol is the most widely available, cost-efficient source of octane on the market. It’s a no-brainer. A true win-win-win for farmers, the environment, and for consumers. IL Corn thanks Committee Chairman, Congressman John Shimkus, for the invitation to include a corn farmer on the committee witness panel. We’re looking forward market access for farmers to fuel the future high-octane fuels in high-efficiency vehicles. Ethanol-powered high-octane fuels are a key growth market for domestic corn demand, a demand that can easily be met with modest trend-line yield growth over time.

 

Paul’s opening statement as a witness is available from the committee video feed here. Fast forward to the 37:45 minute mark to watch Paul’s 5-minute prepared remarks. There is a 20-minute long recess from about 1 hour 40 minutes into the hearing until the 2-hour mark. The Committee had to recess to take a floor vote.

 

You can also click below to listen to the audio portion only of Paul’s opening statement.

 

The following points were among those discussed at the hearing:

• The potential for high octane fuels and vehicles designed for them to further the goals of the RFS and CAFE/GHG programs.

• The impacts of a transition to high octane fuels and vehicles on refiners, biofuel producers, automakers, and fuel retailers.

• The impacts of a transition to high octane fuels and vehicles on consumers.

• The legal and regulatory steps necessary to bring about a transition to high octane fuels and vehicles.