EESI Submits Comments to EPA Opposing Waiver of Renewable Fuel Standard

The drought continues for much of the country. While it has moderated in some parts of the country, it has intensified to the north and west. The damage to this year’s corn crop, however, is done, and the reduced harvest is coming in. How to deal with the economic impacts of the reduced corn harvest has been the subject of ongoing debate with the EPA. A number of governors have asked the EPA to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard to reduce demand for corn from the corn ethanol industry and to protect livestock and poultry producers and consumers from rising feed and food costs. EESI believes that a waiver would be unnecessary, ineffective, costly, and counterproductive.

In the comments submitted October 10, EESI Executive Director Carol Werner observed: "It is unlikely that waiving the RFS would significantly reduce the harm caused by the heat wave and drought to livestock and poultry producers and consumers over the next twelve months, but a waiver would be likely to compound and spread additional harm to other states and sectors of the national economy. Of greatest concern is that it may deter needed investment and delay infrastructure development in more environmentally sustainable, climate-friendly advanced biofuels."

To read EESI’s complete comments, click here .

There are much better and more effective ways for the federal government to help mitigate the economic harm from this summer’s extreme heat wave and drought. The administration has already taken some important steps . But Congress needs to do much more. Reauthorizing the now expired Farm Bill is the first thing. The Senate-approved bill the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 (S. 3240) would provide additional important disaster relief.

For additional background information and analysis on this issue, read EESI’s recent Issue Brief: " Requests to Waive the Renewable Fuel Standard in the Aftermath of the 2012 Heat Wave and Drought " .

Additional SBFF coverage on this topic was posted:
September 21, " Should the Renewable Fuel Standard Be Waived? EPA Extends Comment Period ,"
August 24, " EPA Asks for Public Comment on Renewable Fuel Standard Waiver Request, " and
August 10, " What If Extreme Heat and Drought Become the New Normal? "

To review all public comments to EPA on this issue, click here here .