The Environmental Protection Agency will close public comments on the proposed ethanol mandates under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard next week.
The standard requires oil refineries to produce specific amounts of ethanol made from corn and plant matter annually and blend it with gasoline.
It was meant to help keep gas prices low for consumers and lessen U.S. dependency on foreign oil.
But the new proposals of ethanol minimums are billions less than required by federal law and have drawn sharp criticism.
Several individuals requested that the EPA increase ethanol standards while others felt differently.
Here’s a look at a handful of the more than 45,000 – and counting – comments on the proposed standards.
The comment period ends on July 27
Individuals can submit comments here.
Joshua Clayton, Owner of H&H Mobil in East Lansing, Michigan
“As one of the first [gas] stations in Lansing to offer E85, ethanol has played a big role in my family’s business,” Clayton wrote.
“First and foremost, ethanol saves money at the pump and allows families to spend money on things that are more important in their lives.
“A reduction in the Renewable Volume Obligations would hamper the benefits I am able to provide my customers, and I fear that in the long-term this proposed rule could hurt the availability of biofuels like ethanol.”
Keith Alverson, President of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association
“My wife and I have witnessed a wave of sons and daughters returning to family farms and rural businesses, which was not taking place prior to the RFS.
“I only hope this progress can continue to allow my children to proudly be the 7th generation. We respectively urge the EPA to return the volume obligations and methodology set forth by law under the RFS.”
Scott Gudes, Vice President of Governmental Affairs at the American Sportfishing Association
“It bears reminding that ethanol above ten percent is corrosive to marine engines.
“At or below that concentration is manageable, but greater levels create engine problems in many different types of engines that would deem it unacceptable for a regulatory agency to disregard. Please lower the final ruling ethanol volumes proposed for this year and 2016.”
Ian Thomson, President of the Western Canada Biodiesel Association
“According to the EPA’s own calculations, biodiesel delivers more significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions than any other domestic, commercial-scale fuel on the national market.
“We encourage you to reconsider the biodiesel standards in your May proposal and finalize stronger standards, particularly for 2016 and 2017.
Derek Peine, General Manager of Western Plains Energy LLC
“I understand the EPA’s need to adjust the cellulosic and biomass based biodiesel numbers as technology and innovation hasn’t progressed fast enough to support the original volumes,” Peine wrote.
“However, it is difficult for me to understand the rationale for reducing corn-based volumes. Unfortunately, the proposed rule takes our country in a backward direction.”
