EPA May Let Ethanol Plants Pollute More

[LynneSin]

Wait....I thought the purpose of ethanol was to provide cleaner fuels to the environment???!!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060301/ap_on_go_ot/ethanol_plants_pollution

EPA May Let Ethanol Plants Pollute More

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press Writer
Wed Mar 1, 6:51 PM ET

WASHINGTON - In an attempt to increase domestic production of alternative fuel sources, the Bush administration has proposed allowing ethanol plants to send more hazardous air pollutants into the air.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that it has proposed a rule that would raise the emissions threshold for corn milling plants that produce ethanol fuel, allowing those plants to emit up to 250 tons per year of air pollutants before triggering tougher restrictions on production.

Currently, corn milling plants can emit 100 tons of pollutants per year.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has been pushing the agency to make the change since last fall, noting that corn milling plants that produce ethanol products for human consumption had a higher emissions threshold than those that produce ethanol fuel. The change, he says, will help the country navigate gasoline price spikes by producing more renewable energy.

[HuffleClaw]

1. a 150% increase?

that is just madness. but typical bushco. mentality.

[rodeodance]

2. create a new problem by trying to solve an old problem."

.....Though environmentalists have generally supported increased use of ethanol and other renewable fuels, some point out that the EPA has settled several noncompliance cases with companies producing ethanol fuel. In several of the cases, the agency noted that the plants "burn off gases which emit volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide into the air."

Frank O'Donnell, director of the environmental advocacy group Clean Air Watch, said the rule could "create a new problem by trying to solve an old problem."

"This appears to be an attempt to cut a break for some ethanol producers," he said. "My concern is that this could lead to more pollution in communities near the refineries."

The EPA will gather comments on the proposed rule for 60 days.

[truthisfreedom]

3. oh how exciting! *golf claps*

a technology that wastes petrochemical energy to create pseudo-clean energy and gets subsidized in the process, gets more freebees at the expense of our health and future! i'm just itching to ruin my engine with this fabulous technology!

[Rose Siding]

4. Strangling Peter to Lobotomize Paul

That's one way to go.

[geomon666]

5. Oh you sons of bitches.

It's pointless to even try with this administration. Every time we do, they shake our hand and stab in this back with the other.

They'll cut social programs to "save money" but then offer tax cuts twice the ammount that was saved. And now they offer to help production of clean fuel sources and let more than double the ammount of polltution into the air.

I'm afraid to keep asking them to stop the war, they may just decide to say yes and then release nukes against North Korea or Iran.