BLOOMINGTON, Ill.--Jeff Jarboe, a farmer from Loda, Ill., and Illinois Corn Growers Association President, released the following statement after learning of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed rule regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) for 2017 to cap corn-based ethanol volumes at 14.8 billion gallons, below the 15 billion gallons set by statute for the Renewable Fuel Standard. 

"While Illinois corn farmers are happy to see the ethanol blend levels increase for 2017, we remain disappointed that the Administration won't allow this home-grown renewable fuel to grow beyond the artificial 15 billion gallon level we were supposed to achieve in 2015.

"Consumers need environmentally friendly fuels that are price competitive and ethanol is poised to provide it.  Farmers need market opportunities to continue centuries-old family farms that are barely scraping by due to extremely low corn prices.  Increasing ethanol usage is a win for all Americans.  I'm not sure why the EPA and the Administration can't see that.

Still, at least the market continues to grow and the EPA has made a timely announcement.  Corn farmers will be happy to fill the portion of the market we are allowed, and focus on increasing ethanol exports to the countries that DO see value in our renewable fuel."

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More information:

• Corn-based ethanol is an environmentally friendly fuel that delivers on many of the EPA's greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. 
• A 2014 study conducted by Life Cycle Associates found that average corn ethanol reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 32% compared to average petroleum in 2012. Importantly, this estimate includes prospective emissions from indirect land use change (ILUC) for corn ethanol.
• When compared to marginal petroleum sources like tight oil from fracking and oil sands, average corn ethanol reduces GHG emissions by 37-40%.
• The 14.7 billion gallons of ethanol produced in 2015, reduced GHG emissions by 41.2 million metric tons-equivalent to removing 8.7 million cars from the road.