The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today joined over 90 other trade groups representing diverse businesses across the transportation sector in urging the Biden administration to reverse course on its proposed tailpipe emissions standards for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles.
In a letter to President Biden, the organizations outlined significant concerns with the EPA’s proposed rules and the need to preserve consumers’ access to affordable, reliable and efficient transportation.
“We share the goal of reduced greenhouse gas emissions across the broader economy and, specifically, those from energy production, transportation, and use by society,” the letter states. “EPA’s proposals inhibit the marketplace from identifying the most efficient, lowest cost opportunities to reduce GHG emissions from vehicles and greatly restrict consumer choice. We are concerned that such a prescriptive policy is not in the best interest of the consumer or of U.S. energy and economic security.”
The letter also expressed concerns with EPA’s narrow focus on electric vehicles to achieve compliance and highlighted the benefits of evaluating a broader range of emissions reductions pathways.
“A diversified portfolio of vehicle and fuel technologies that meets the multitude of transportation needs of Americans and makes meaningful GHG reductions can be achieved while also allowing new zero-emission vehicle, and specifically battery electric vehicle, technologies to advance,” the signatories wrote. “Improved crop yield, innovative biofuel and refined product processing, and manufacturing efficiency tied with carbon capture each represent promising advancements for current liquid and gaseous fuels to continue to accelerate emissions reductions.”
Brooke S. Appleton, NCGA vice president of public policy, participated in a press conference on the issue today with leaders from the American Petroleum Institute, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers. The group talked about the letter and called on the Biden administration to be more inclusive of ethanol and other environmental solutions as it finalizes the proposal.
NCGA and state corn grower leaders have worked to educate EPA about how biofuels can help the Biden administration meet its environmental goals. NCGA submitted comments to EPA and its grassroots advocate network sent more than 2,822 letters to the EPA during the comment period. In all its outreach, NCGA has made clear that ethanol, which is critical to rural economies, can help lower greenhouse gas emissions while saving consumers money at the pump.
Click here to view the letter.