Press Release
Conaway Comments on EPA Decision to not Reduce Renewable Fuel Standards
“I am disappointed in the EPA’s decision to ignore the requests of the American public by refusing to reduce the volume of the RFS mandate. With food prices rising twice as fast as the rate of inflation, a large portion of the high costs of basic commodities are being placed on the backs of hard-working consumers. This year, approximately one-third of America’s corn crop will be converted to ethanol to meet the RFS. Although supply will decrease significantly, the demand put in place by the RFS will increase considerably. I am still of the belief that the EPA should act now to reduce the mandate to immediately increase the supply of corn that will be used for food and feed, softening the economic blow facing millions of Americans. I strongly support the development of alternative energies such as ethanol, cellulosic and advanced biofuels to meet certain mandates, but I do not stand behind any Federal Government mandate or requirement that can contribute to rising food and energy costs and could adversely impact our domestic economy."
On June 27, 2008, a bipartisan group of Members of Congress sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen Johnson urging him to reduce the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandate. Today, Congressman Mike Conaway (TX-11) issued the following statement in response to decision by the EPA to not reduce the volume of the Renewable Fuel Standard mandate which would be required to be used in motor vehicles and other engines:“I am disappointed in the EPA’s decision to ignore the requests of the American public by refusing to reduce the volume of the RFS mandate. With food prices rising twice as fast as the rate of inflation, a large portion of the high costs of basic commodities are being placed on the backs of hard-working consumers. This year, approximately one-third of America’s corn crop will be converted to ethanol to meet the RFS. Although supply will decrease significantly, the demand put in place by the RFS will increase considerably. I am still of the belief that the EPA should act now to reduce the mandate to immediately increase the supply of corn that will be used for food and feed, softening the economic blow facing millions of Americans. I strongly support the development of alternative energies such as ethanol, cellulosic and advanced biofuels to meet certain mandates, but I do not stand behind any Federal Government mandate or requirement that can contribute to rising food and energy costs and could adversely impact our domestic economy. “I understand that various individuals and agriculture organizations view this issue differently, but the discussion will not end with today’s decision. I will be working alongside other Texas Members in the coming weeks to request a new study from the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) that would analyze the issue of continuing, modifying, and/or waiving of the federal government’s renewable fuels policies, and the affects that these policies have on corn prices, livestock feed prices, food prices, and fuel prices. It is the duty of the Federal Government to work for and not against the American public.” Click here to view the letter to Administrator Stephen Johnson from a bipartisan group of Members of the Congressional delegation. ### |
