The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) heard from renewable fuels supporters — and a few Big Oil mouthpieces — on Thursday during a public hearing on the agency’s proposal to slash the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and cut the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline by 1.4 billion gallons in 2014.
“The EPA is now caving in to the demands of Big Oil, who has always resisted renewable fuels – from the very beginning,” said Iowa governor Terry Branstad, who was one of about 150 people to testify at a public hearing in Arlington, Va.
After Gov. Branstad finished with his remarks, Jeff Oestmann with East Kansas Agri-Energy LLC wondered why cutting the RFS is even being considered.
“So why are we even here?” Oestmann asked. “It boggles the mind to understand why we have a completely successful program by any measure, all targets are being met, and we have compliance by all [Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO)] parties.”
Oestmann went on to cite that the RFS is meeting its intended goals of providing an alternative to foreign fuels, growing the renewable fuels industry and developing a capacity that is greater than 10 percent of the total fuel supply.
Of course, Big Oil made sure it had a few folks in the crowd as well, ready to deliver misguided talking points and parrot long dispelled myths.
“This issue affects chainsaws and chain restaurants,” said Rob Green, executive director of the National Council of Chain Restaurants. Green went on to say that he sided with Big Oil because higher demand for corn drives up feed prices and forces restaurants to pass the cost on to customers.
Perhaps Mr. Green has consumed one too many chicken nuggets. If he would do a little research on the issue, he would learn that food prices have increased because oil prices have skyrocketed. And while the poultry industry continues clucking about the RFS and its impact on feed prices hurting bottom lines, the industry is enjoying record profits.
Instead of rallying against homegrown fuels, Mr. Green would be better served to ask his friends in the oil and poultry industry why they are sending him to do their dirty work while they rake in more money than ever before.
EPA is accepting public comments on its RFS reduction proposal until the end of January. To make your voice heard and stand up for homegrown biofuels, tell the EPA “Don’t Mess with the RFS” by clicking here.