We have been here before: an EPA public hearing on the Renewable fuels Standard. It will take place today in Kansas City, and the agriculture and ethanol industries are set to testify. Former Missouri Congressman Jim Talent, co-author the RFS, says opponents of renewable fuels are forcing this hearing, “What is happening here is that the EPA is getting push back from those who have misconceptions about renewable fuels along with pressure from big oil. We need to make sure there is plenty of testimony in support of the RFS.” Some of those scheduled to testify at the public hearing in support of renewable fuels include Pete Ricketts, Governor of Nebraska; Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association; Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy; Chip Bowling, President of the National Corn Growers Association; Chris Soules, Iowa Farmer and Reality Television Star of “The Bachelor” & “Dancing with the Stars;” Annette Sweeney, Iowa Farmer and Former State Representative; Brian Sowers, Missouri Sportsman and Co-Host of Crappie Masters TV; and Richard Fordyce, Missouri Director of Agriculture.
The EPA recently proposed its ethanol blending levels for 2017 which are again below what is called for in the RFS. Talent feels this is wrong, “We have the production capacity, the infrastructure to supply the ethanol called for in the RFS.” He said the RFS as a policy is working to reduce our nation’s dependence on imported oil and increase the use of renewable fuel and that is why the RFS is under attack.
The EPA hearing starts at 9:00 a.m. Central Time Thursday, June 9, at the Sheraton Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City.