EPA COMMENT PERIOD ON RFS OPEN

Kaity Spangler

Jun 01, 2016  |  Today's News

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has opened the comment period on their proposal to cut corn ethanol, and the Illinois Corn Growers Association asks farm families and rural communities to email their opposition to this proposal.

 

The EPA plans to cut nearly 200 million gallons from the Renewable Fuel Standard which would adversely affect Illinois corn farmers. Farmers can email statements before the public comment period ends on July 11.

For details on the proposal and a link to send a quick email, visit ncga.com/rfs. Various draft comments are available to enable both farmers and their non-farmer friends to easily send personalized notes to the EPA.

Accompanying the comment period is a hearing, held by the EPA, as an effort to hear from the interested parties regarding the proposal in Kansas City, Missouri on June 9. The Illinois Corn Growers Association will have two representatives testifying on behalf of Illinois farmers.

"Consumers need environmentally friendly fuels that are price competitive, and ethanol is poised to provide it,” said Illinois Corn Growers Association President Jeff Jarboe. “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.”