Tesoro Fuel Refiner Sues To Block Ethanol Increase In California
October 29th, 2009 | 
Author: Tesoro Fuel Refiner Sues To Block Ethanol Increase In California
More often than not the phrase frivolous lawsuit is somewhat redundant. Such is the case with San Antoniobased fuel refiner Tesoro which has filed a lawsuit in California to block a regulation that would boost ethanol consumption in the state by 2010.
The company which operates refineries in Los Angeles and the city of Martinez says the new fuel specifications could conflict with the states push to cut greenhouse gas emissions and could have ramifications for the environment and U.S. food prices.
The New Fuels Alliance a group that includes the the California Renewable Fuels Partnership calls the suit a blatant attempt by Tesoro to try to use the regulatory and legal process to gain competitive advantage in the market place.
A statement by the alliance continued Other oil companies are moving toward increased ethanol use to extend gasoline supply lower cost and even increase profits. Tesoro didnt see this market shift coming and is now trying to gum up the works based on a feigned and disingenuous concern about climate change and food prices.
The LA Times blog GreenSpace notes rightly that the text of the lawsuit filed in Sacramento Superior Court says precious little about Tesoros worries over food supply and prices. Rather the companys core complaints are that California Air Resources Boards new rule: takes effect too quickly forces companies to pay for emissions offsets if they dont meet the 2010 deadline and requires expensive refinery modifications that might not be compatible with Californias stillevolving Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
Reporter Elizabeth Douglass concludes The problem for Tesoro and other refiners is that the whole move to biofuels is eating away demand for its products. That might have something to do with the companys sudden concern about ethanols impact on the environment and the nations food supply.
Nice to see even the LA Times can see through this charade.
Post Update: Make sure to check out the post on the GreenSpace blog and add your comments as they are running 3 to 1 against Elizabeths observations.
About the writer: Matt Hartwig is the Communications Director for the Renewable”>http://www.ethanolrfa.org/”>Renewable Fuels Association in Washington DC. Previously he worked as the assistant media director for the Consumers Union in Washington. Prior to that he was the Democratic Communications Director for the Senate Agriculture Committee.
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