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Waive the Ethanol Mandate
Update: On November 16, the EPA announced their decision to deny a waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) despite severe drought conditions this year.
Fixing a Badly Broken Ethanol Policy
Common sense would tell you that if something is broken, it should be fixed. However, once again common sense has not prevailed within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Just a few days ago, the EPA denied a waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for this year. The EPA’s decision to deny much-needed relief to American livestock producers, food producers, and consumers was extremely disappointing. With a steep decline in corn production this year and a sharp increase in corn prices, the economic harm of the RFS is undeniable.
The EPA has the authority, by law, to reduce the required volume of renewable fuels in any year based on severe harm to the economy or environment of the United States. This summer, one of the most severe droughts in nearly 50 years dried up corn crops across the nation and sent prices soaring. And our badly broken federal ethanol policy is only making it worse.
For several years, growing federal ethanol mandates have diverted increased food and feed stocks into fuel and tightened supplies for livestock and food producers. In 2012 alone, the Agriculture Department estimates that roughly 42 percent of the corn crop will be used to make ethanol – more than the amount of corn used to feed livestock and poultry in the United States.
In 2011, Virginia poultry, dairy, and hog producers used roughly 98 million bushels of corn as feed. For many farmers and businesses in the Sixth District, rapid increases in the price of corn weigh heavy on their bottom line making it difficult to stay in business. But it doesn’t stop there – higher corn prices are ultimately reflected in the price of food on grocery store shelves.
A broad coalition of agricultural organizations, food producers, restaurants, grocery stores, environmental organizations, hunger groups, and consumer groups as well as 156 Members of the House, 34 U.S. Senators and several Governors, joined me in asking the EPA to use their power to waive the RFS. In total, the EPA received more than 29,000 public comments regarding the waiver. The EPA’s analysis of their decision even states that the comments were “statements generally in support of the requests for a waiver.” Yet, the EPA still refused. This decision has proven that the waiver provisions currently in law are inadequate and the policy is not working as intended.
In the debate over ethanol, the government is picking winners and losers. Livestock and food producers as well as consumers of these products are on the losing end. I now turn to my colleagues in the House and the Senate to take up legislation to address this ongoing problem. I support a complete elimination of the RFS and have already introduced legislation to do just that. It is evident that Congress must fix this broken ethanol policy in order to help protect consumers, producers, and the American economy.
Congressman Goodlatte urges a waiver of the RFS at a press conference and speaks to poultry growers about the RFS in Harrisonburg.
Goodlatte Legislation on the Ethanol Mandate
Congressman Goodlatte is the sponsor of the Renewable Fuel Standard Elimination Act (H.R. 3098) and the Renewable Fuel Standard Flexibility Act (H.R. 3097).
In the Press
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Agri-Pulse: Push for RFS repeal continues with chain restaurant support
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Feedstuffs: Restaurant industry calls for end to RFS because of impact on food prices
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Daily News Leader: Goodlatte hopes to address U.S. ethanol mandate
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Daily News Record: Food or Fuel? Ethanol Waiver Rejected
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Daily News Record: Goodlatte Discusses Effects Of Ethanol Mandate During Stop On Valley Tour
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Daily News Leader: Goodlatte calls for suspension of ethanol mandate
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Richmond Times Dispatch: Bauhan et al.: Waive the ethanol standard for Virginia
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Congressional Quarterly: If EPA Does Not Waive Ethanol Mandate, Lawmakers May Try to Do So
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Congressional Quarterly: EPA Considers Ethanol Waiver Requests Following Pressure From Lawmakers
Additional Information
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Photos from 6th District RFS Tour - Link
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Photos from Press Conference urging EPA Action on the RFS - Link
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GOODLATTE MEETS WITH AREA BUSINESSES REGARDING IMPACT OF ETHANOL MANDATE
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GOODLATTE STATEMENT ON OPENING OF RFS WAIVER PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
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BIPARTISAN COALITION OF MEMBERS URGE EPA TO ACT NOW TO REDUCE THE RFS MANDATE
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GOODLATTE INTRODUCES BILLS TO ALTER RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARD MANDATE