Biofuels Groups Claim 'Huge' Corn Crop Weakens Calls For RFS Repeal

摘要

Biofuels advocates say an anticipated "huge" corn crop this year will reverse low production caused by last year's drought and undermine calls to repeal EPA's renewable fuel standard (RFS) over the claim that the program is driving up corn shortages and prices, though they doubt the crop growth will alter the looming RFS mandates for 2014. Opponents of the RFS including the oil and livestock sector counter that the increase in corn production will not quell calls for repealing the program, with an American Petroleum Institute (API) source saying the oil sector's criticisms of the RFS is not about corn prices and prices for producing ethanol - instead, their attacks focus on the "blend wall," which is the limit on ethanol than can be used by vehicles in the marketplace. A source from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) says despite this year's boost in corn production, they continue to oppose mandates to produce renewable fuels and are urging the agency to reduce the RFS production goals, as they argue all corn consumers should have a "level playing field for the bushel."