Schultz Urges EPA to reject Bogus
Ethanol Land Use Theory

Madison... State Senator Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) has called on the Environmental Protection Agency to reject the use of the flawed and untested Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) theory in calculating the carbon counts and greenhouse emissions of ethanol and other bio-fuels.

In a letter sent earlier this month to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Schultz said “ILUC has been widely panned by scientists around the country and even those who came up with ILUC readily admit there is no way to actually verify if the effects of land use change actually exist.”

Slipped into the 2007 federal Energy Independence and Security Act, ILUC purports that a Wisconsin farmer who plants corn is responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions associated with deforestation in Brazil.

“To blame Wisconsin farmers for deforestation in other countries is beyond the pale of credibility,” Schultz said.  “Between the recession, credit crunch and poor weather, Wisconsin farmers and rural communities are struggling to keep their heads above water.  The last thing they should have to worry about is being blamed for something they have nothing to do with.”

Citing research from Michigan State professor Bruce Dale, Schultz points to urban sprawl, cotton and tobacco planting and timber harvesting as the real reasons for deforestation in countries like Brazil.

Schultz is also urging members of congress, including third district Congressman Ron Kind, to move swiftly to strip ILUC from law.

“Not only should the EPA reject ILUC, but Wisconsin congressional members should do everything they can to support Wisconsin farmers by removing ILUC from federal law.” Schultz said.