Corn
Growers Tackle RFS Implementation as Next Task (8-15-05)
When President George W. Bush signed the energy
bill into law on August 8, the arena for the National Corn Growers
Association’s (NCGA) work on the renewable fuels standard
(RFS) moved from the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
“The passage and signing of the historic energy
bill including a 7.5-billion-gallon RFS, as well as the other key
renewable provisions in the bill, is a huge win for corn growers,”
said Leon Corzine, NCGA president. “However, following the
celebration, it is now critical that we focus on implementation
of the RFS, and this begins with the rule-making process at the
U.S. EPA.”
The intricate details of the RFS will be decided
through an initial round of decisions by the EPA beginning in fall
2005 and is expected to continue over the next 12 to 18 months.
One of the first judgments by EPA will determine
the pro rata share of the RFS that each refiner, blender and importer
of gasoline and diesel fuel will be responsible for blending. Each
refiner, blender or importer’s share will be based on the
amount of gasoline and diesel fuel produced the previous calendar
year. This process could begin as early as November. The EPA must
also address the definition of the term “blender” early
in the process.
Corzine noted NCGA will be an active participant
in the RFS-decision process at the EPA, protecting the interests
of corn-based ethanol at this critical juncture. He noted the details
involved are complicated, but in order to ensure the growth and
prosperity of the ethanol industry, corn growers will be highly
involved throughout the entire process.
“It will take a lot of energy and tremendous
amount of resources on the part of NCGA and its states associations
to make sure the rules are implemented to ensure continued growth
of the industry, as well as the farmer’s ability to participate.
It is a lot like the cliché, “Our work is never done,”
and, in this case, it is true.”
The EPA will also be working with the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) on a study concerning boutique fuels and their impact on fuel
availability, fungibility, cost and air quality. This study is due
to Congress one year after enactment.