Corn growers, farmers union critical of proposed rule on Renewable Fuel Standard

As a response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed rule on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the National Farmers Union (NFU) have released a white paper explaining why the proposal is a threat to their income and to America's rural economies.

“The EPA’s proposed rule and the uncertainty around it have frozen investment in rural communities and sources of income for farmers in the advanced and celluloid biofuels industry at a crucial time," NFU President Roger Johnson said.

Since the RFS became law in 2005, it has resulted in a growth of the ethanol industry, significant investments in technology, improved yields and sustainable practices, the creation of more than 850,000 jobs, and increased profits for farmers. However, under the new rule the U.S. Department of Agriculture expects that farm income will drop by 50 percent in 2015 to its lowest level in the decade.

So far, opponents of the proposed rule say the industry has registered a $13.7 billion shortfall in investment due the uncertainty around the RFS.

“Our country’s farmers and biofuels producers have met the challenges of the RFS, investing in renewable fuel production and creating jobs in rural America that can’t be outsourced to other countries," NCGA President Chip Bowling said. "Thanks to the RFS, we are helping to reduce foreign oil dependence with clean, secure American-made renewable fuel.”