Where would we be without new ideas, new research and new technologies? It’s a rhetorical question, but one that should be asked whenever we hear people shout down the new in favor of the status quo. Granted, newer isn’t always better, but it often is.

Remember when our gasoline was leaded? Emissions from leaded gasoline were a recognized public health hazard that led to legislation to eliminate its use and require less polluting engines – and fuels. Initially, lead was replaced with methyl tertiary butyl ether, or MTBE, but as questions arose regarding MTBE’s impacts on the environment and human health, it was replaced with an environmentally friendly, non-toxic biofuel: ethanol.

These biofuels, largely derived from cornstarch, agricultural residues, and other cellulosic biomass – and largely manufactured in the Midwest – are now a vital part of our energy mix, and they are certain to remain so for years to come. Corn-based ethanol is not without its concerns, particularly related to tying up arable land in fuel (rather than food) production. Some also argue that the energy inputs required to produce corn ethanol exceed the net energy benefits. However, unlike MTBE, and certainly unlike lead, ethanol is an American success story – and could someday be a success story for Maine.

So, instead of shouting down the entire ethanol industry, as some are doing, why not explore ways for Maine to become a leader in the effort to produce more of this clean-burning, greenhouse-gas reducing fuel?

Just last year, the ethanol industry created or supported nearly 400,000 jobs across the country.

Unfortunately, not enough of these jobs are in Maine, but one day many could be. Cellulosic ethanol, which is derived from wood, could be a prosperous way forward for Maine’s struggling forest products industry. This approach does not tie up land that could be growing human food in fuel production, and early indications are that the energy output greatly exceeds the energy required. In fact, the University of Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Research Institute has already proven that ethanol can be produced from wood using an innovative process. More research is needed, however, to produce that ethanol in a manner that is economically competitive and scalable. Such research should be supported and encouraged, not discouraged by disparaging the ethanol industry .

We need new research and new technologies, as well as vision and leadership from our elected officials. Research and new technologies for harvesting and processing have been major factors in reviving and sustaining our potato, lobster and blueberry industries. Why not pursue ethanol for our forest products industry? I’d be proud to have Maine be a part of reducing our consumption of fossil fuels. And I’d definitely be proud to have Maine be a part of reducing our imports of foreign fuel.

A healthier environment, a robust future for our forest products industry, decreased dependence on foreign oil, and research and development goals for our university are not political issues. These are Maine issues.

— State Rep. Martin Grohman, D-Biddeford, represents Maine House District 12, which includes part of Biddeford.