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Governors oppose proposed RFS changes

A group of six Midwestern governors, all members of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, has sent letters to the president, EPA and USDA in support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

The letter is in response to the EPA’s proposed reductions in the RFS for 2014.

The governors urge administration officials to increase the biodiesel volume to reflect current production levels; to modify the cellulosic target to match production expectations; and to reinstate the statutory conventional renewable fuel target since there is no domestic supply shortage.

Citing data from Iowa State University, the governors say the RFS reduction could cause average corn prices to drop 19 cents per bushel and fall under the average cost of production for many farmers.  And they argue it would also have a negative impact on rural communities.

Governors signing the letter were Terry Branstad of Iowa, Dave Heineman of Nebraska, Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota, Sam Brownback of Kansas, Mark Dayton of Minnesota and Jack Dalrymple of North Dakota. 

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn sent a separate letter to the President presenting many of the same arguments.