After a 15-day extension that ended Oct. 11, the window for public comment has closed surrounding a request for the EPA to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The RFS was created under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and required 7.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel to be blended into gasoline by 2012. In 2007, the standard was expanded to include diesel fuel and it increased the volume of renewable fuel required to be blended into transportation fuel from 9 billion gallons in 2008 to 36 billion gallons by 2022. Proponents of the waiver hope it would help dairy and livestock producers by lowering the cost and improving the availability of corn for feed.
On the other hand, supporters of the RFS have formed a coalition calledFuels Americato defend the standard. The group cites "the economic, employment, domestic renewable energy and national security benefits the RFS provides."According to TalkBusiness.net, nearly 1,500 comments were submitted to the EPA regarding the suspension of the RFS. The EPA is expected to respond to the request by mid-November.
During a Line on Agriculture interview, National Corn Growers Association vice president of public policy Jon Doggett said that the law – not politics – is likely to be the key element in the RFS decision.
Doggett said that both President Obama and candidate Mitt Romney have indicated strong support for biofuels, especially ethanol and corn ethanol. "With just over two weeks left to go, I would be kind of surprised that we saw this become much of an issue."
Doggett said the real issue before the EPA is whether the RFS violates a standard set in 2007.
"The 2007 energy bill certainly sets a very high standard by which the EPA administrator would be able to waive the RFS in whole or in part. And that standard is that the implementation of the renewable fuels standard severely and negatively impacts the economy of the United States."
He added, "The discussion can’t revolve around whether the price of corn is too high or too low. That’s not the question. The question is what kind of economic impact does it make to the entire economy." PD
—Compiled from various sources
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