EPA Denies RFS Waiver Requests

(American Meat Institute)

 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today ruled to deny the requests of several governors for a waiver of the corn-ethanol mandate of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In its denial, the agency said it has not found evidence to support a finding of severe “economic harm” that would warrant granting a waiver.

“We recognize that this year’s drought has created hardship in some sectors of the economy, particularly for livestock producers,” said Gina McCarthy assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “But our extensive analysis makes clear that Congressional requirements for a waiver have not been met and that waiving the RFS will have little, if any, impact.” 

EPA denied the waiver request despite support for it from a bipartisan group of 156 members of the House of Representatives as well as 34 Senators. A large coalition of livestock, poultry, meat, dairy and feed organizations including AMI also delivered a petition to Jackson asking for a waiver “in whole or in substantial part” of the amount of renewable fuel that must be produced under the RFS for the remainder of this year and for the portion of 2013 that is one year from the time the waiver becomes effective.

The coalition responded to the waiver denial, expressing “extreme disappointment.”

“We are extremely frustrated and discouraged that EPA chose to ignore the clear economic argument from tens of thousands of family farmers and livestock and poultry producers that the food-to-fuel policy is causing and will cause severe harm to regions in which those farmers and producers operate,” the coalition said. 

More on the EPA’s RFS waiver decision is here: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/980EB6B1C343640D85257AB800597A71  

The full coalition press release is available here: http://www.meatami.com/ht/display/ReleaseDetails/i/83123

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