Wisconsin Ag Connection - WCGA, WBFA Critical of EPA Over Ethanol Mandates

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WCGA, WBFA Critical of EPA Over Ethanol Mandates
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 06/01/2015

Two Wisconsin organizations were quick to express their disappointment with the Environmental Protection Agency on Friday after releasing its proposed targets for the nation's Renewable Fuel Standard. The RFS, which determines how much ethanol will be blended into retail gasoline supplies, was announced at 16.3 billion gallons in 2015; and 17.4 billion next year. But the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association and Wisconsin BioFuels Association both point out that those figures are significantly short of the standards mandated by Congress.

"Not only has EPA circumvented the law, it has totally ignored the growing demand and benefit of renewable fuels," said WCGA Board Member Casey Kelleher. "This will hurt our corn growers who have been doing their job to produce corn for ethanol to meet the market for clean burning fuel, and it will hurt consumers with higher fuel prices and limited clean fuel options."

WBFA President Erik Huschitt said he is troubled to learn that the proposed 2016 ethanol level is actually less than what the industry produced in 2014.

"The proposal shows the EPA has turned its back on market access and consumers who wish to choose their own fuels," Huschitt said. "This proposal keeps Big Oil's monopoly intact and stops consumers from choosing lower-cost alternatives such as E15 or E85."

Wisconsin currently has nine ethanol plants, which produce more than 500 million gallons of ethanol. Kelleher said his group will be working to fight EPAs proposal.

Meanwhile, the agency is seeking comment and intends to take final action on this proposal by November 30.

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