The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released a proposal for new greenhouse gas and multi-pollutant emissions standards for light-duty vehicles, which does not adequately account for the environmental benefits of low-carbon ethanol. In response to the announcement, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) released the following statement:
“While we share the administration’s goal of lowering emissions, we are frustrated that EPA appears to be turning exclusively to electric vehicles to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The limitations on raw materials, charging infrastructure, consumer preferences, and other factors dictate the need for a wider range of options to immediately mitigate carbon emissions.
“We urge EPA and the Biden administration to focus on outcomes and opening pathways for all low-carbon fuels and technologies to help meet these strong standards, rather than appearing to focus on only enabling one technology in electric vehicles. Vehicle standards should help drive a level playing field that allows consumers access to a variety of clean vehicle and fuel options, including low-carbon ethanol, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 52%.
“In previous rulemakings and prior to this proposal, we have urged EPA to set a federal minimum clean octane standard in conjunction with stricter vehicle standards. These cleaner fuels from mid-level ethanol blends would support advanced vehicles, offering an essential pathway for achieving significant GHG and complementary criteria pollutant emissions reductions.
“We continue to urge EPA to provide a clean octane pathway to provide consumers with another affordable choice while also meeting the Biden administration’s climate and air quality objectives. We have also advocated for Congress to legislate on this issue through our support of the Next Generation Fuels Act.
“We will be active participants in offering improvements to EPA’s proposed rule.”
