So long, E85

News that E85 is no longer interested in building an ethanol plant in Newark is cause for citizen celebration.

Today's Advocate report did not give the reason for the company's disinterest. It merely quoted a company official's notification to Newark government - which was by e-mail. Here's the Advocate's quote from that communication: "I sincerely regret to inform you that E85, due to business reasons and in consideration of its due diligence, has decided not to exercise the option on the Newark property."

... leaving open the question of "consideration of its due diligence" means exactly what?

Whatever it means, the most significant quote in the Advocate's report is this: "The decision to abandon the west Newark location of the ethanol refinery is a great victory for residents who were concerned about our health and the cumulative air pollution," said Bruce Frey, a West End resident of Newark. "It's a defeat for uninformed politicians ready to pander to polluting companies with no track record of operations or safety."

Nobody could say it better.