Science group attacks ethanol lobbyists

The Union for Concerned Scientists (UCS) recently attacked lobbying by the “conventional biofuels industry,” which is pushing for more Federal support of ethanol. The EPA is set to implement the Federal Renewable Fuel Standard, with the first national global warming pollution criteria for renewable fuels. According to the UCS, previous analyses were not comprehensive enough and biofuels were assumed to have “greater reductions in heat-trapping emissions than actually achieved.”

UCS has generally been in favor of certain biofuels, but like many organizations, has been skeptical about the benefits of corn-based ethanol.

The EPA is holding a public comment period through July 27 on their proposed standards. The docket for comments is EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0161.