Source: PRESS RELEASE, 10/13/11

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC) today released the following statement applauding the first stage of H.R. 3097 - a bill to reform renewable fuel standards in ethanol production:

"I'm happy to announce today that we have taken an important step in protecting American farmers and their families from unnecessary government interference. Ethanol mandates are driving up the cost of food and food stocks. We can't continue to take food off our tables in order to put a few extra gallons in people's gas tanks. This bill looks at critical supplies and future yields so that it doesn't further drive up the price to create better fuel standards. We need to balance our energy and agricultural needs in ways that will not play favorites with one industry over another and this legislation is a step in the right direction."

On October 5th, Congressman Bob Goodlatte introduced H.R. 3097 to the House Agriculture Committee - a bill that would alter the Renewable Fuel Standard (RSF) to give relief to our livestock and food producers and consumers of these products.  This legislation will link the amount of corn ethanol required for the RFS to the amount of the U.S. corn supplies and would provide a mechanism so that when the USDA reports that U.S. corn supplies are tight, based upon the ratio of corn stocks- to expected use, there would be a reduction made to the RFS.  This legislation would only affect the corn ethanol piece and does not affect any advanced biofuels that may be developed to meet U.S. energy demands.  This is a common sense solution that bases the RFS on critical supply numbers rather than arbitrary mandates.