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Iowa and MO ethanol leaders on RFS disappointment

Ag leaders across the nation are expressing disappointment and concern about the proposed renewable fuel volume requirements released by the EPA for the Renewable Fuels Standard. Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, says the EPA’s proposed levels fall well below the levels mandated by Congress.

Jerry Mohr, a farmer from Eldridge, Iowa is president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. He accuses the head of the EPA, Gina McCarthy, of “siding with big oil” rather than Iowa farmers.

The EPA rule won’t be finalized until this fall, so Shaw says he’s hopeful it can be swayed before then to significantly boost the RFS numbers.  EPA officials stated the RFS proposals should provide a “strong incentive for continued investment and growth in biofuels.” Iowa has 42 corn ethanol plants, accounting for almost 25-percent of all ethanol production in the United States.

Gary Marshall, Missouri Corn Crowers CEO, tells Brownfield the EPA took two actions this past week, against agriculture.

Marshall says they’ll gin up their grassroots campaign again and weigh in heavily during the comment period.  Missouri has six farmer-owned ethanol plants.

~Radio Iowa contributed to this report