Drought: Obama Administration Looking at Ethanol Rules

[phantom power]

The Obama administration is reviewing the country’s ethanol policy amid calls from both political parties and the United Nations to suspend annual targets as the worst drought in 56 years spurs corn prices.

...

A 2007 energy law known as the Renewable Fuels Standard mandates the use of 13.2 billion gallons of biofuels such as ethanol this year, and 13.6 billion in 2013.

A smaller U.S. corn crop doesn’t justify calls for Obama to suspend the mandate, according to the Renewable Fuels Association, a Washington trade group. It said refiners can meet the targets by drawing from ample stockpiles and utilizing excess credits that can be submitted in lieu of physically blending a gallon of ethanol.

...

Livestock and poultry producers on July 30 called on Obama to reduce the mandate saying that it is causing “severe economic harm.”

Delaware Governor Jack Markell and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, both Democrats, sent a letter to the EPA’s Jackson today supporting the waiver, saying that the Renewable Fuels Standard may hurt their farmers and poultry companies.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-10/obama-administration-looksing-at-ethanol-rules.html

[mopinko]

1. a peek at the future. pay attention.

hope this not only goes through, but sets off some waves of serious reconsideration of making car fuel out of food.