Food City supporting ethanol blended fuel at its retail station in Fairfield Glade, TN. Photo Credit: Joanna Schroeder

With gas prices predicted to be the lowest in many cities across the country since 2005, record travel is expected this July 4th weekend. The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) would like the 43 million travelers this holiday weekend to know that one reason they are saving money at the pump is because of homegrown #ethanol and more specifically the Renewable Fuel Standard (#RFS). The RFS, says ACE, provides consumers with an abundant supply of low-cost, high-octane ethanol that is blended with gasoline. This helps prove the benefits of ethanol extend far beyond rural America and in fact improves people’s lives nationwide.

“With economic anxiety gripping many parts of the world, American families traveling to celebrate our nation’s independence this weekend are saving between $700 and $1000 on gasoline this year compared to prior years,” said ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings. “The RFS is one reason for this relief at the pump because it ensures a domestic supply of low cost ethanol which also cuts greenhouse gas emissions because it is a low carbon, high-octane performance fuel. Since ethanol production also results in an abundance of nutritious and high-protein livestock feed, the RFS helps fuel and feed the nation.”

The Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) is reporting that for the 1st half of the year, gas prices nationwide averaged $2.04 a gallon which is inspiring motorists to take that car trip they may not have been able to afford in past years. It’s the second straight year that July gas price averages are under three dollars a gallon. Combine that with the recent International Food Policy Research Institute report showing that there isn’t a link between ethanol and rising food costs, these factors, says ACE, show that the RFS is working as intended despite what the critics want you to believe.