BIO Urges EPA and Congress to stay on course with RFS.
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Press Release Summary:
BIO president and CEO Jim Greenwood has made his statement regarding letter sent by 156 Members of the House of Representatives to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, where they urged EPA to reduce federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). After saying "RFS is working" and "setting a clear path for U.S. energy security, reduced reliance on foreign oil, and a cleaner, healthier environment," Greenwood urged caution about "rushing to make long-term changes to this policy."
Original Press Release:
BIO Urges EPA and Congress to Stay the Course on the Renewable Fuel Standard
WASHINGTON--Jim Greenwood, president & CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today issued the following statement in reaction to a letter sent by 156 Members of the House of Representatives to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, where they urged the EPA to reduce the federal Renewable Fuel Standard:
"The RFS is working, setting a clear path for U.S. energy security, reduced reliance on foreign oil, and a cleaner, healthier environment. Congress and the EPA should be appropriately cautious about rushing to make long-term changes to this policy."
"Some Members of Congress want to rush to make long-term changes to federal energy policy - potentially sacrificing future energy security and job growth - in response to current weather conditions. The solution to the drought that they propose is unlikely to provide relief to livestock producers, farmers, or consumers; it could, however, produce unintended consequences for biotech companies developing advanced biofuels and, thus, have a long-term negative impact on consumers and our nation's ability to develop critical sources of alternative energy.
"Waiving the federal Renewable Fuel Standard even for one year will produce instability in the program for several years, causing uncertainty for companies investing in advanced biofuels and for farmers growing next-generation energy crops. Conventional biofuel production has declined this year as corn prices have risen. Advanced biofuels are beginning to make headway in coming to market. In fact, the first gallons of cellulosic biofuel were brought to the commercial market just this past April."
Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO's Industrial & Environmental Sections, added, "Undermining the RFS will have a chilling effect on the development of cellulosic feedstocks that are not used for food or feed. The RFS is important for all biofuels, but it is critically important for cellulosic feedstock process development. To undermine the RFS now would wound this feedstock development effort that in the long run is going to help both farmers and ranchers. This aspect is often neglected by the media and is not well understood by cattle ranchers, pork and chicken producers.
"The RFS is working, setting a clear path for U.S. energy security, reduced reliance on foreign oil, and a cleaner, healthier environment. Congress and the EPA should be appropriately cautious about rushing to make long-term changes to this policy."
About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtechNOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling "innovations transforming our world." Subscribe to BIOtechNOW.
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