Since 1995, the use of ethanol-blended reformulated gasoline in the Chicago metropolitan area has reduced those harmful emissions by more than 100 tons per day. Ethanol use reduces carbon monoxide, which helps us meet federal air quality standards on a year around basis. There is also a new study by the National Research Council which suggests the use of ethanol lowers carbon monoxide and in turn helps us meet federal ozone standards. As we all appreciate, there are additional reasons why ethanol is so very important to Illinois. Agriculture is the number one industry in Illinois, and as such we must effectively promote agriculture and the farm families who have made such extraordinary contributions to the growth and development of Illinois.
Ethanol is an essential component of agriculture in Illinois.
Every year, we produce more than 600 million gallons of ethanol, making Illinois the nation's leading producer of ethanol. If ethanol is no longer used as an oxygenate under the guidelines of the RFG Program Illinois would lose up to 400 million gallons of ethanol demand each year. Basically, the demand for ethanol would be cut in half. We cannot allow that to happen. Our position here in Illinois is straightforward.