DC Circuit Court Rules in Favor of RFS
RFA and Growth Energy stand by the Renewable Fuels Standard
Compiled by staff
Published: Jul 20, 2012
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Friday rejected a petition by the Chicken Council challenging the Environmental Protection Agency's rulemaking on the RFS2.
The Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy, along with other biofuel advocates, intervened in the case. Following the Court's dismissal of the petition, Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis and RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen issued the following joint statement:
"Today's decision is nothing short of a victory for American ethanol producers and renewable fuel advocates. This was the last of many challenges to the RFS2 rulemaking and each one was rejected. With the Court denying this latest challenge, they have vindicated the rulemaking process of the RFS2.
RFA and Growth Energy stand by the Renewable Fuels Standard "The RFS is arguably the nation's most effective energy policy. It has spurred the development of a domestic biofuels industry that is creating hundreds of thousands of jobs that cannot be outsourced. In addition, it is helping to decrease the nation's reliance on imported oil and thus reducing prices at the pump.
"Moreover, the RFS is the nation's first effort at meaningfully reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. As the Court ruling demonstrates, the charges that anti-biofuel lobbies are leveling against ethanol simply do not hold up under scrutiny. We look forward to working with EPA, the Department of Agriculture, and Congress to ensure the integrity of the RFS is maintained and the ambitious goals set within are achieved."
The court's decision comes in the midst of prior debate surrounding the RFS, mostly fueled by recent drought conditions and concern about low corn yields.
On July 19, congressman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and agricultural economist Thomas Elam presented a study on behalf of livestock groups questioning the effectiveness of the RFS.
"There are real concerns about having enough corn supply to satisfy the RFS and the needs of our food producers," Goodlatte said. "We should not be in a position where we are choosing between fuel and food."
In response, the National Corn Growers Association and Growth Energy weighed in, explaining their positions as biofuel advocates.
"When it comes to the Renewable Fuel Standard for ethanol and other biofuels, now is not the time for changes. It's working. The RFS is revitalizing rural America, reducing our dependence on foreign fuel and reducing the cost of gasoline," NCGA President Garry Niemeyer said.
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Tagged: biofuel, livestock, biofuels, Drought, EPA
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