Palmyra, Wisconsin – May 29, 2015 – The EPA has failed American agriculture and consumers ‘miserably’ through its renewable fuel requirement proposal released today, according to the president of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association.
“Not only has EPA circumvented the law, it has totally ignored the growing demand and benefit of renewable fuels,” said Casey Kelleher, Whitewater. “This will hurt our corn growers who have been doing their job to produce corn for ethanol to meet the market for clean burning fuel, and it will hurt consumers with higher fuel prices and limited clean fuel options.”
The EPA announced the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) for corn ethanol to be 13.25 billion gallons in 2014, 13.45 billion gallons in 2015 and 14.0 billion gallons in 2016. These are below the levels Congress set for corn ethanol at 14.4 billion gallons for 2014, and 15 billion gallons for 2015 and 2016. RVOs are the renewable fuel targets for each refiner or importer of petroleum-based gasoline or diesel fuel. The RVO is the mechanism EPA uses to implement the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.
“Even EPA admitted in its announcement the renewable fuel volumes are below the levels set by Congress. It’s frustrating to see EPA ignore the clear statutes on renewable volume obligations and do nothing more than help Big Oil at the expense of American consumers and corn growers,” said Kelleher.
“The Renewable Fuel Standard is working as intended,” said Kelleher. “The RFS has reduced greenhouse gas emissions, decreased our reliance on foreign oil, lowered gasoline prices for consumers and increased economic stability in rural America.”
Wisconsin has nine ethanol plants, producing more than 500 million gallons of ethanol. Wisconsin’s ethanol industry has a $4.2 billion economic impact, supporting 19,080 jobs with $982 million in wages.
Kelleher said WCGA will be working to fight EPAs proposal. EPA is seeking comment and intends to take final action on this proposal by November 30, 2015.
WCGA is a membership organization that represents the interest of state corn growers in the growth and management of corn grown for on-farm feeding and commercial sale. WCGA works with other organizations in areas of mutual concern, and brings together corn growers to provide information and education at regional corn conferences and the annual Wisconsin Corn/Soy EXPO. As part of NCGA, WCGA represents corn grower interests nationally and internationally and also sponsors annual corn yield contests.
###
