NCGA Welcomes RFS Default Standard Issued by EPA (12-28-05)
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of its default renewable fuels standard (RFS) rule, which will promote the increased use of home grown fuels and their numerous environmental benefits. The rule was authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, signed into law by President George W. Bush last summer.
“The implementation of the renewable fuels standard will be the first step in providing substantial benefits to American consumers and the agricultural industry,” said NCGA President Gerald Tumbleson. “Benefits will be realized by consumers, farmers, rural communities and taxpayers. Ethanol is and will continue to be a vital component in finding long-term solutions to U.S. dependence on imported crude oil and future energy policy. Ethanol will benefit our economy and environment. It’s as simple as that.”
The announcement of the default standard for 2006 is the first step in the agency’s implementation of the RFS program, which is designed to reduce vehicle emissions and strengthen U.S. energy security by doubling the use of fuels produced from American crops by 2012.
The EPA regulation explains how industry will comply with the Energy Policy Act's default provision requiring that 2.78 percent of the gasoline sold or dispensed to U.S. motorists in 2006 be renewable fuel. The regulation is intended to provide market certainty for smooth implementation of the program in 2006 as the EPA expands the program. Many of the act's other provisions regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard program for 2007 and beyond will be implemented in subsequent regulations.
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