The National Farmers Union (NFU) is the latest to voice its displeasure over a new report critical of the Renewable Fuel Standard. This news release from the group says the recommendations made in the “10-Year Review of the Renewable Fuels Standard: Impacts to the Environment, The Economy, and Advanced Biofuels Development,” by the University of Tennessee that calls for dismantling the RFS are “shortsighted and irresponsible,” and urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to simply implement the current law. The report was commissioned by the American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF) who the ethanol industry is saying is in the front pocket of Big Oil.
“The recommendations issued by this study are shortsided and irresponsible, and would only serve the interests of its financiers – Big Oil,” said [NFU President Roger] Johnson. “EPA should stick with the targets provided in the current law that have already made measurable gains in climate change resiliency, energy independence, and the rejuvenation of rural economies across the United States.”
Johnson said that the study calls for striking the RFS and to start over with a new program focused exclusively on advanced biofuels.
“The study glosses over greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions achieved through corn ethanol production – reductions that continue to grow as climate-smart practices become more popular among producers,” said Johnson. “Its analysis of corn ethanol’s GHG advantages makes too many assumptions about land use changes and neglects to account for other factors like market shifts and conservation programs that may also affect producers’ land use decisions.”
Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association have also expressed their displeasure with the report.