Ethanol Group Pushes Country Of Origin Labeling For Oil
Ethanol industry group Growth Energy is urging lawmakers to pass new measures that will require country of origin labeling for oil products.
On Tuesday, General Wesley Clark, Co-Chairman of Growth Energy, pushed for lawmakers to create more transparency in the oil market by requiring country of origin labeling (COOL) for all fuel imported by the US.
"Most Americans don’t want their paychecks going to Venezuela and other regimes that don’t agree with and support the US,” said General Clark.
“Requiring country of origin labeling of our fuel supply will empower consumers with the knowledge and ability to make informed decisions."
At the 2009 Farm Progress Show in Decatur Clark announced the new “Label My Fuel” initiative that would require country of origin labeling similar to that of other imported goods, such as coffee, cars and produce.
Growth also launched the Web site labelmyfuel.com, which sheds light on how much America spends in supporting its dependence on foreign oil.
"America’s dependence on foreign oil has a staggering impact on both our national and economic security,” said Clark. “Supply disruptions and sudden price hikes have shocked the wallets and pocketbooks of everyday Americans one too many times. “
"The American people deserve to know the truth about the hidden costs of oil: The neighborhood filling station doesn’t pump neighborhood gas — it pumps a product of foreign origin that costs consumers and taxpayers billions of dollars every year. It’s past time for the American people to understand what our dependence on foreign oil costs our country and what they can do to help stop it."
The US Energy Information Administration reported that in 2008, Canada was the largest oil exporter to the US, with almost 2.5 million barrels per day. Saudi Arabia sent more than 1.5 million bpd, Mexico sent 1.3 million bpd, and Venezuela sent nearly 1.2 million bpd,
"The industry is hurting right now and they want to get a boost by trying to get a little nationalism around a barrel of oil and push alternative fuels," Phil Flynn, an oil analyst at PFGBest Research in Chicago, told Reuters.
But Flynn added that the US’ refusal of oil from other nations would not be likely to make a difference in their overall sales.
"At the end of the day, if we end up not buying that oil, it’s just going to be bought by someone else."
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