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Reactions to RFS announcement vary
The reaction from ag organizations, biofuels groups and politicians to Monday’s RFS announcement ranged from relief to disappointment to outrage.
One of the more positive reactions came from the biofuels advocacy group Growth Energy.
“The EPA volumes announced today are a move in the right direction,” said Growth Energy co-chair and POET CEO Jeff Broin, “and they correctly call the oil industry’s bluff about our ability to surpass ten percent ethanol in the U.S.”
AUDIO: Excerpt from Growth Energy’s conference call with reporters
But others disagreed.
“EPA’s decision today turns our nation’s most successful energy policy on its head,” said Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “When EPA released its proposed RFS rule in May, the agency claimed it was attempting to get the program back on track. Today’s decision, however, fails to do that. It will deepen uncertainty in the marketplace and thus chill investment in second-generation biofuels.”
National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson was also sharply critical of the announcement.
“The administration’s decision to issue RFS volume obligations below their statutory requirements exacerbates the serious damage already done to the renewable fuels industry and America’s family farmers,” said Johnson. “Clearly the administration has accepted Big Oil’s talking points and paved the way for a weaker RFS to the detriment of economic prosperity in rural America and the administration’s own climate change goals.”
Many state groups also weighed in. Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association called the announcement “a gut punch” for consumers and farmers.
“Given EPA’s stated rationale for these numbers, one of the most successful energy policies in our nation’s history has been put squarely in the stranglehold of the petroleum industry,” said Shaw. “As a result, consumers will see higher prices at the pump and Iowa farmers will likely continue to see commodity prices below the cost of production.”
AUDIO: Interview with Monte Shaw
Here are links to other reactions from organizations and politicians.
National Corn Growers Association
American Coalition for Ethanol
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