The bright future of corn ethanol as a way to lessen our dependence on foreign oil and improve our air quality has been tarnished as of late, especially with the introduction of E15. Supporters of the new blend include the obvious: corn growers, ethanol producers and their advocates. Obvious detractors are big oil, small engine manufacturers and their advocates, such as OPEI. But other proponents and opponents are less expected:

Against: Sierra Club
They are part of a coalition that opposed the E15 energy legislation amendment calling it "bad for consumers, bad for safety, bad for the environment." Sierra Club officials have expressed concern that ethanol production causes soil erosion, water pollution, depletion of water and depletion of wildlife habitat.

For: AAA
After an ad was placed by the American Petroleum Institute that claimed the Auto Club came out against ethanol, AAA fired back, "this commercial is the latest in a series of communications"?(R)? which portray AAA as being anti-ethanol. AAA remains a strong supporter of the development and use of alternative fuels such as ethanol."

Against: The American Lung Association
They believe that air quality and public health may be harmed by the increased use of ethanol blends with greater than 10 percent of ethanol in vehicles and engines that are not designed to use such fuels.

NASCAR is a partner of American Ethanol