Pete Ricketts: Strengthening Energy Reliability and Independence
by Pete Ricketts (Star Herald) … The People’s Republic of China produces the vast majority of the rare earth minerals needed to manufacture EVs. The President’s EV goal would not only make America reliant on our nation’s biggest global competitor, but it would also be economically devastating to ethanol- and oil-producing states, driving away investment in innovative technology such as carbon sequestration.
Ethanol has long helped reduce emissions, and carbon sequestration technology can help the fuel deliver a lower carbon footprint. By capturing carbon dioxide at ethanol plants that produce cleaner-burning fuels such as E15 and E30, regular vehicles can achieve well-to-wheel emissions that are competitive—if not cleaner—than those involved to manufacture and charge electric vehicles. This session, I signed LB 650 into law to establish the legal and regulatory framework for the geologic storage of carbon dioxide in Nebraska. Following passage of the law, Battelle and Catahoula Resources announced a partnership to sequester carbon dioxide in Nebraska. By reducing the carbon footprint of our facilities, we will create more opportunities for our ethanol industry.