Peterson: RFS Announcement a Setback for Rural America

Statement

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson today said the Renewable Fuels Standards (RFS) released today by the EPA will set back production of domestic renewable fuels and hurts the rural economy. Peterson's statement is below.

"I had hoped that the long period of time EPA took to make these announcements meant that they would get it right and follow the path set by Congress. Unfortunately, it was a mistake to think the EPA could administer this program without screwing it up and this is yet another misguided announcement from the Agency.

"Without a strong biofuels industry, we will never be able to reach our full potential when it comes to producing the next generation of homegrown biofuels. The rural economy has remained strong in part due to the jobs provided by biofuels production. This announcement puts those jobs and rural economic growth in danger.

"I appreciate USDA's attempts to do what they can to support infrastructure for the biofuels industry, but these efforts are no substitute for a strong RFS policy and I don't think the reality on the ground has been taken into account. We should be looking at the real world impacts domestic biofuel production has in rural America and not put the future of biofuels at risk."

Source