General Wesley Clark, co-chairman of Growth Energy, addressed the National Press Club’s Newsmaker Series today in Washington, DC.

Clark talked about the ethanol industry’s petition to the Environmental Protection Agency for a waiver to allow the use of up to 15 percent ethanol in gasoline. “When you are talking about energy, you’re talking about the fundamentals of national security,” said the retired general and former presidential candidate.

“The EPA regulation (of 10 percent ethanol in gasoline) is a 30 year old regulation and frankly is just outdated,” Clark said. “The ethanol industry has essentially capped out, so this is a necessity for us to move forward.”

“We hope that we will be able to work with the USDA and EPA to get us at least to E12 or E13 for immediate relief, until the waiver can work it’s way through the administrative process,” Clark said.

He referenced a Growth Energy report out earlier this week that found increasing the blend rate to 15 percent would support 136,000 jobs.

Clark says they believe E15 is perfectly acceptable for all vehicles. “We want the EPA to approve up to E15, we’re not saying all gasoline has to be E15,” he said.

Listen to Clark press conference here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/growth-energy/growth-energy-pressclub.mp3]