Statement: Missouri Corn Applauds EPA’s Ethanol Waiver Rejection

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.)–Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) President Rob Korff of Norborne, Mo., released the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement to deny the request to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

“Missouri corn growers commend the EPA and Administrator Jackson for making the right decision to deny a waiver of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard.  Since its inception in 2005, the RFS has been successful on multiple levels: creating jobs, stimulating the American economy and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

“As we stated in our official comments to the EPA, the state’s six majority farmer-owned ethanol plants have had an undeniably positive impact.  Missouri’s ethanol industry generates $1.1 billion in economic output for the state, sustains nearly 1,600 jobs and generates $36 million in local, state and federal taxes annually.

“Similar positive impacts are repeated across the nation where ethanol plants are revitalizing local economies and supporting over 400,000 jobs.  Additionally, consumers across the U.S. benefit from ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard as we continue to lessen our dependence on foreign oil.  Without the addition of ethanol to our nation’s fuel supply, gas prices would be higher and we would need the equivalent of three Keystone XL Pipelines just to fulfill our current fuel needs.

“The problem causing high commodity prices and forage shortages is not the RFS; it’s the drought.  The facts clearly show the RFS has proven beneficial to our state and nation.  We thank the EPA for supporting American jobs and keeping the U.S. on a path toward energy independence.”