Livestock Producers Petition EPA to Waive Ethanol Mandate

A group of livestock producers have petitioned the EPA to suspend the renewable fuel standard for one year in light of the drought gripping much of the country.

The renewable fuel standard (RFS) requires 15 billion gallons of domestic corn ethanol to be blended into the nation's motor fuel supply by 2022, with a 2012 target of 13.2 billion gallons. The EPA has the authority to waive the requirement if it is determined it is causing severe environmental or economic harm.

The petition claims the RFS law coupled with the drought causes economic harm since it will make it harder for livestock producers to afford enough corn to feed all their livestock.

The EPA has not granted a waiver since the fuel standard was enacted in 2007 despite receiving previous waiver requests, so it will be interesting to see what methodology the EPA uses in making its decision.

This post was authored by GLLF staff attorney Emily Kelchen.