Legislation was proposed Wednesday by four U.S. Congressmen that would ease what they believe are the impacts of the ethanol mandate "and protect consumers, energy producers, livestock producers, food manufacturers, retailers and the U.S. economy."
The Renewable Fuel Standard Reform Act, introduced by Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Steve Womack (R-Ark.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), would eliminate the biofuels mandate, beginning in 2014, and rescind the requirements of blending up to 15-percent ethanol into the fuel supply. The proposal would prohibit corn-based ethanol from being used to meet the RFS, and reduce the total size of the RFS by 42 percent over the next nine years.
A coalition of 13 food groups expressed support for the proposed legislation which they believe will protect food makers and consumers from unnecessary food price increases.