VP Gore, Jon Stewart Exchange Highlights Disturbing Trend in Ethanol Misinformation

November 5, 2009  Washington – During a taping of Comedy Central’s Daily Show with Jon Stewart on November 4, host Jon Stewart mistakenly stated that ethanol is “worse for the environment” than gasoline. Stewart’s guest, former Vice President Al Gore corrected him in part, pointing to next generation ethanol technologies that have even greater potential as part of the environmental solution.

This exchange would not have been particularly noteworthy, had it not been for the fact that viewers were left with a sense that current ethanol technologies are environmentally more dangerous than oil. That is simply untrue.

“All ethanol, regardless of its source, is more sustainable and environmentally-friendly than gasoline,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “When compared directly to gasoline, ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 60% - and that is with the technologies we have today. New technologies and processes will make current ethanol production as well as future production even more sustainable. “

“Failing to understand the issue and continuing to propagate factually inaccurate information, even on a faux news show, is dangerous and undermines the legitimate debate about our energy future,” said Dinneen. “This trend in statements by prominent and influential individuals is leaving the American people with a false set of choices about the various roles of renewable energy across the board.”

Dinneen continued, “While we share Vice President Gore’s enthusiasm for advanced biofuel technologies, it would be shortsighted to undersell the value and ongoing evolution of today’s ethanol technologies. On behalf of the industry, I extend an open invitation for Mr. Gore to visit any of the nation’s ethanol facilities and to attend the industry’s annual conference next February in Orlando, Florida. The RFA would welcome the Vice President to present his ideas and engage in a frank discussion about the role of biofuels in our environmental future. Our door is always open.”

According to analysis from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), direct comparisons to gasoline show ethanol reducing greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 60%. As sources of oil for gasoline come from increasingly more damaging sources – like Canadian tar sands – the environmental benefits of ethanol will continue to rise. It is only when unproven theories about decisions made by farmers and governments in other nations are used to penalize ethanol are the benefits of ethanol use diminished. This theory, known as international indirect land use change, has been widely challenged by scientists and academics as being scientifically unsound and unreliable.