FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: David Thews, 202-554-1600
dthews@nfudc.org

WASHINGTON (July 28, 2014) – National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson and Illinois Farmers Union President Norbert Brauer today underscored their organization’s strong support for the proposed Chicago City Ordinance offering E-15 fuel to area self-service gas station customers.

By blending 15 percent ethanol with 85 percent gasoline, Chicago consumers, the environment, Illinois farmers and workers employed by state ethanol producers would all benefit, they explained.

“This proposal offers consumers a choice at the pump, which will lead to numerous health and environmental benefits,” Johnson and Brauer wrote in a letter to the resolution’s co-sponsors, Alderman Edward M. Burke, chairman of the City Council’s Finance Committee, and Alderman Anthony Beale.

They pointed out that offering consumers E15 at the pump would improve the quality of the city’s air and boost the local economy.

“Importantly, increasing the amount of ethanol in fuel will reduce pollution and carcinogens in the air,” the letter noted, adding, “the ethanol industry is very important to the Illinois economy and Illinois is the third-largest producer of ethanol in the nation.”

Illinois’ ethanol industry supports 73,156 jobs and creates $17.5 billion in economic activity annually.

The resolution was introduced after a survey of local gas prices across the nation revealed that the Chicago area had the highest average prices, at $4.15 a gallon. The resolution is currently under consideration by the city’s Finance Committee.

The letter in its entirety can be found here

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.
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