The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has signed a notice that it will solicit comments on whether to waive the renewable fuel standard (RFS ) for ethanol because of concerns about the drought’s impact on the corn supply and feed prices for livestock producers.
EPA requires that the total volume of fuel sold in the United States in 2012 contain 15.2 billion gallons of renewable fuels (77 Fed. Reg. 1,320). The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires that the 2013 fuel supply contain 16.55 billion gallons of renewable fuels. Four state governors and several members of Congress have asked EPA to waive the requirements due to the drought. Ethanol trade groups have opposed the waiver requests. The agency will seek comments on the notice for 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register.