NCGA Calls On Allies To Defend Ethanol

Citing severe economic and environmental ramifications, the National Corn Growers Association called on all its members and friends to submit comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, opposing its proposal to slash the amount of corn ethanol required in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

“It’s critical that our growers and all those concerned about the rural economy stand up for corn ethanol and urge the EPA to keep the volume obligations as they are now written in the law,” said NCGA President Martin Barbre. “The impacts of the EPA’s proposal, if enacted, will ripple throughout communities where America’s family farmers live, shop and do business. Rural America cannot afford this and neither can the environment.”

For 2014, the EPA has proposed a 1.4 billion gallon reduction in how much corn ethanol will be required under the RFS, the federal law that requires the blending of domestic, renewable, cleaner-burning corn ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply. This will reduce already-low corn prices and negatively affect planting decisions in 2014. It also will reduce the environmental benefits of using more domestic, renewable biofuels.

Allies of the corn growers are ask to use this link to file comments with the EPA bit.ly/RFS-NCGA, which is accepting public comments until January 28.