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One side of the Renewable Fuels Standard debate

Debate about the Renewable Fuels Standard goes beyond repeal and extension.  During a program put on by TheHill.com, Vermont Democrat Peter Welch, a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, called the RFS a “well-intended flop”.

He adds the effects of the law have been beneficial to corn producers.  “It’s helped to prop up the prices,” he says.  “I think that we have to acknowledge that if you’re in the production of corn-based ethanol, that’s really been helpful to you.  I don’t begrudge that.  A lot of those corn farmers have had significant challenges and this has led to positive things for the Corn Belt.”

But, that success has come at a cost.  “It’s been detrimental, price wise, to the dairy, to the hog, to the poultry, and to the livestock,” he says.  “That whole side of the agriculture sector has had to foot the bill.  It has added significant expense to food costs.”

Welch says he’d like to see changes to the RFS, “I want to repeal the corn-based ethanol mandate.  That’s, like called, ending it.”

Illinois Representative John Shimkus, a proponent of the Renewable Fuels Standard, was scheduled to participate in the discussion, but due to a scheduling conflict was unable to attend.

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