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Misguided legislation to undercut RFS

Another attempt to undercut the Renewable Fuels Standard.

Senator’s Feinstein of California and Toomey of Pennsylvania have introduced legislation that the head of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) would seriously undermine the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) by costing jobs, raise gasoline prices and slow innovation of advanced biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol.

Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association calls the Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act misguided and completely wrong. From Senator Toomey’s claims the RFS is driving up gas prices and food prices, to Senator Feinstein’s claim the corn ethanol mandate is getting in the way of better biofuels.

“The whole notion that there is a corn ethanol mandate itself is wrong,” said Dinneen. “The entire foundation of their legislation is wrong, but I guess if you’re Senator Feinstein and Senator Toomey you never let a fact get in the way of a good talking point. Look, the RFS is working.”

Responding to the Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act, National Corn Growers Association board member Keith Alverson of South Dakota said Congress should not turn its back on the success of renewable fuels.

““Every year, corn ethanol gets cleaner and more efficient, and oil gets dirtier. We are growing renewable, clean energy right here in America. Corn ethanol is better for the environment and has historically lowered the cost of filling our tanks by nearly a dollar,” said Alverson. “”With a second consecutive record crop, there is more than enough corn to meet all demands for food, fuel, feed, and fiber. Corn farmers have more than met our commitment on the RFS. There are many good reasons to continue this policy, and we look forward to working with Congress to support it.”

The biofuels industry has sent a letter calling on President Obama to implement the commonsense, bipartisan RFS law in a way that will continue to drive investment in clean, secure American energy.