Along with other industry groups, the Colorado Corn Growers Association is pleased with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) action to expand the federal Renewable Fuel Standard. In a press release, Colorado Corn noted that it further validates the value of corn-based ethanol as an environmentally sound renewable fuel.

“The EPA recognizes corn-based ethanol is clearly superior to regular gasoline when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mark Sponsler, CEO of Colorado Corn. Ethanol blended into gasoline has proven to be a viable and sustainable renewable fuel.

According to EPA, the Renewable Fuels Standard for 2010 will be set at 12.95 billion gallons. The total standard will increase gradually to 36 billion gallons in 2022. Corn-based ethanol already meets the required minimum greenhouse gas reduction as required by EPA, which found ethanol can reduce greenhouse gases by more than 20 percent.

“Among the advantages the EPA identified of all renewable fuels are higher net farm income, lower dependence on foreign oil, and a reduction in greenhouse gases,” added Sponsler. “The expansion of the nation’s Renewable Fuel Standard will lead to additional development of the nation’s renewable fuels industry, which means more jobs for rural America and new markets for corn growers.”