Growth Energy, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable Fuels Assn. (RFA) jointly submitted comments to the U.K.'s Department of Transport as it considers implementing a nationwide E10 ethanol blend. The comments, submitted on Sept. 16, highlight the proven benefits of ethanol for fuel and draw on the experience of the U.S. in implementing a similar nationwide E10 fuel blend.

"Ethanol has a number of proven benefits, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, reductions in harmful tailpipe pollution such as carbon monoxide and particulates, consumer cost savings, as well as job and agriculture development," according to the comments. "In the U.K., there are 31.3 million vehicles on the road, and only 250,000 [of those are] deemed to be incompatible with an E10 blend. There is no reason to deny the benefits of ethanol to British consumers."

In addition, the joint comments strongly support moving directly to an E10 fuel blend, as the overwhelming majority of gasoline-powered vehicles are approved for this fuel. Doing so would offer benefits for consumers and certainty for U.K. producers.

"It is imperative that the government move E10 forward to give these producers a predictable market for their fuel," Growth Energy, USGC and RFA noted in their comments. "Just this week, we saw the largest ethanol producer in Britain announce that they are ceasing production simply because they do not have a market and because the government has not moved fast enough in its adoption of E10."

By submitting these comments, Growth Energy, USGC and RFA aim to achieve the goal of substantially reducing transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions to combat global climate change and provide consumers with a more affordable, cleaner fuel.