Energy and Environment

Congress should repeal ethanol mandate before it does more harm to consumers, the environment

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Published August 30, 2013 4:00am ET
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Congress should repeal ethanol mandate before it does more harm to consumers, the environment
A gas station pump with various grades of fuel, including E15, which contains 5 percent more ethanol than the current 10 percent norm sold at most U.S. gas stations. (AP/Renewable Fuels Association) | Robert White

At a recent House subcommittee hearing, the National Chicken Council testified to federal lawmakers regarding the negative impacts created by the Renewable Fuel Standard. The fact that the chicken industry has special insights regarding federal energy policy is a clear signal that the RFS has been an unmitigated disaster.

Enacted in 2005, RFS requires that fuel producers blend specified amounts of biofuels (e.g. ethanol) into their products. The RFS law was supposed to spur a lasting transition from traditional fossil fuels toward green-friendly fuel sources like ethanol, and thus substantially curtail greenhouse gas emissions.

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American Petroleum Institute Analysis BP Climate Change Department of Energy Energy and Environment Ethanol ExxonMobil Institute for Energy Research Lobbying