Yesterday a diverse coalition of hunger and development organizations, agriculture groups, budget hawks, free marketers and environmental groups called on the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works to hold hearings on the impacts of the Renewable Fuel Standard. A number of studies have recently been released criticizing the Renewable Fuel Standard for damaging the environment and increasing food price volatility, while a scandal involving fake credits has brought the Renewable Fuel Standard's compliance system into question by the EPA and industry alike.What struck me was the list of signers:
The Renewable Fuel Standard, the U.S.'s federal mandate for biofuels consumption, is supposed to help support the development of truly sustainable, environmentally beneficial transportation fuels that could help wean American off oil. However, a recent study by the National Academy of Sciences noted that the Renewable Fuel Standard is unlikely to spur the development of any biofuel besides corn ethanol through 2022 when the mandate is set to end. The study also found that the production of corn ethanol is likely increasing air pollution, increasing global warming, causing soil erosion, degrading water sources, and decreasing biodiversity. Thus, as it stands, the Renewable Fuel Standard is likely causing more environmental harm than good....MORE
Americans for Limited Government
Americans for Tax Reform
California Dairy Campaign
Clean Air Task Force
Competitive Enterprise Institute
Dairy Producers of New Mexico
Dairy Producers of Utah
Freedom Action
Friends of the Earth
Greenpeace USA
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