Groups challenge ethanol expansion and oil recovery plans

By Scout Nelson

In response to a state agencies' report advocating for a Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), four environmental and health organizations have released a Minority Report, expressing strong opposition to the proposed expansion of ethanol production and the introduction of carbon pipelines across North Dakota and Minnesota.     

This report is a direct counter to the Clean Transportation Standard (CTS) Work Group's recommendations, asserting that the LCFS will not serve as a viable climate solution but will instead contribute to environmental degradation.    

The Minority Report draws upon a University of Wisconsin study to argue against the environmental viability of corn ethanol, suggesting it is potentially 24% more carbon-intensive than gasoline.  This revelation puts into question the role of ethanol as a sustainable alternative and highlights the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) as a more effective solution for reducing carbon emissions.  

The report raises concerns about the unintended consequences of the LCFS, including potential economic incentives that could prolong CO2 production and fossil fuel dependency. It specifically mentions enhanced oil recovery practices, where carbon from ethanol plants is feared to be used for oil extraction in North Dakota. 

Beyond air pollution, the Minority Report underscores the adverse effects on water and soil from biofuel production's increased use of pesticides and fertilizers, with rural communities in Minnesota and North Dakota bearing the brunt of these environmental impacts.  

Despite diverging viewpoints, the report acknowledges agreement with industry representatives on the feasibility of meeting carbon reduction targets under the current framework.  It calls for a radical shift towards sustainable and genuinely effective climate solutions, moving away from reliance on biofuels and carbon capture strategies that serve the fossil fuel industry's interests.  

Peter Wagenius of the Sierra Club North Star Chapter urges Minnesota and North Dakota legislative bodies to prioritize long-term environmental health and sustainability over temporary fixes aligned with the oil and ethanol industries' agendas, advocating for policies that truly support the region's climate goals. 

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