TSCRA sends comments to EPA in support of RFS waiver

TSCRA Daily News Update, June 23, 2008

TSCRA sends comments to EPA in support of RFS waiver

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association sent a letter of comment to the EPA June 23 stating its support of Gov. Rick Perry's request to waive a portion of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for Texas.

One of the reasons for the support of a waiver, the letter states, is the RFS driving price increases for corn, which results in higher cattle feed prices and ultimately much lower prices offered to cow-calf producers, which may cost Texas producers lost revenue totaling $392 million.

"Cattle producers are suffering from severe economic harm and many will be forced out of business," TSCRA President Jon Means, Van Horn, says in the letter. "This trend will continue if the EPA does not grant this waiver request."

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandate will increase the required volume of renewable fuel made from grain-based sources to be blended into gasoline to 15 billion gallons by 2015. The one-year waiver requested by Gov. Perry asks that the amount of biofuels to be produced in 2008 be reduced from 9 billion gallons to 4.5 billion gallons.

EPA has until July 24 to make a decision on the waiver.

"Texas cattle producers support renewable energy and a lessened dependence on foreign oil; however, such an investment should not sacrifice our nation's food supply," notes Means. "Grain-based ethanol production has matured to a point that it can function without continued government incentives and TSCRA encourages the EPA grant Gov. Perry's request."

To read the TSCRA's letter to the EPA, click on the following link: go.