Proposal to lower ethanol use upsets grain farmers
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
A federal Environmental Protection Agency proposal to lower ethanol use in gasoline next year has upset grain farmers and drawn praise from oil and livestock producers.
The EPA wants to change the nation's Renewable Fuel Standards to lower the number of gallons of ethanol blended into gasoline supplies. Ethanol companies and grain farmers generally oppose the move on the grounds it would hurt the growth of alternative fuels.
It would reduce market demand for corn purchased to make the fuel, forcing already low corn prices even lower, said Tim Gerlach, executive director of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.
"You've just made a proposal that might cut several hundred million bushels off the market," Gerlach said. "We're watching the price of corn, wondering what that will do over the next year."
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
But petroleum companies, environmental groups, and even some farm organizations like the plan.
The use of corn to make ethanol has raised grain prices and hurt farmers who buy corn to feed to their flocks, said Joel Brandenberger, president of the National Turkey Federation.
"The Renewable Fuels Standard effectively has cost our producers well over a billion dollars," Brandenberger said.
The EPA is taking comments on their plan, and will release a final ethanol decision sometime next year.
Dear reader,
Your voice matters. And we want to hear it.
Will you help shape the future of Minnesota Public Radio by taking our short Listener Survey?
It only takes a few minutes, and your input helps us serve you better—whether it’s news, culture, or the conversations that matter most to Minnesotans.
