|
|
|
American Corn Growers oppose erosion of renewable fuel standardsIn a letter to Stephen L. Johnson, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the American Corn Growers Association stated their adamant opposition to the request by Texas Governor Rick Perry for a waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard. ACGA President Keith Bolin, a corn and hog producer from Bureau County, Ill., said the Association is not prepared to accept any erosion of the nation's renewable fuels programs. "ACGA, along with many other organizations and individuals from all sectors of our economy, has worked hard with Congress and the administration to help advance America toward energy independence and we will not tolerate any backsliding in that noble endeavor," declared Bolin. "We are not like those 'summer soldiers and sunshine patriots' when it comes to America's energy independence. Energy independence is difficult and challenging and we will work to retain and proceed with all of the advances already made and yet to come, when it comes to domestic, renewable, clean and sustainable energy production and independence for our country." Bolin explained that the RFS mandate, as of this time, has not driven the production of ethanol since production has always outpaced the mandate. "Market forces are driving the expansion of ethanol due to higher oil prices. And it is quite possible that ethanol production may soon be reduced temporarily in some parts of the nation due to market and weather forces. Ethanol production for this year is projected to exceed the 9 billion gallon mandate." "Ethanol is helping mitigate the high price of gasoline to consumers by reducing gasoline prices by an estimated 15 percent, or over 60 cents per gallon," said Bolin. "The waiver requested by Governor Perry will have a de minimus impact on corn prices, an even smaller impact on food prices and would increase gasoline prices significantly. Why would Governor Perry choose higher gasoline prices for Texas drivers?" Bolin also explained that ethanol production and use of incentives and mandates are critical to taking renewable fuels to the next generation, namely non-food, cellulosic ethanol production. "Congress went to great lengths to establish incentives and mandates to help advance the nation toward alternative renewable fuels and the current RFS," added Bolin. "When fully matured, the new RFS will require 21 billion gallons of non-corn ethanol while allowing only 15 billion gallons of corn ethanol to count toward the over-all mandate in the year 2022." "There may be some ready to cut and run in the fight for America's energy independence, but not the American Corn Growers Association," concluded Bolin. "We know there are challenges with this year's corn crop, but I can assure everyone that America's farm families will do everything in their power to produce what is necessary to feed and fuel America's freedom." ACGA represents 14,000 members in 35 states. ACGA has standing bylaws that prohibit the organization from accepting funding from corporate agriculture. That means that ACGA represents farmers--not seed, chemical, food processing, grain trading or crop insurance companies. For more information or if you would like to join ACGA or help support our efforts, please see www.acga.org. 8/4/08 Date: 7/30/08 Advertisement
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2009. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
Market Snapshot Inside Futures |
