Lofgren, Rice Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Repeal Ethanol Mandate Law

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Tom Rice (R-SC) introduced the Food Before Fuel Act to repeal the ethanol mandate in the renewable fuel standard.

"Our country needs federal policies that are both good for the environment and our national economy, and the corn ethanol mandate is not good for either," said Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. "The mandate has not reduced emissions, as promised, and corn ethanol poses many problems, including putting a strain on the food supply. Especially at a time when international conflicts are exacerbating global food shortages, it is smart and sensible to get rid of the mandate now and, instead, shift the focus to solutions that do not contribute to climate change and/or drive up the cost of food."

"The federal government should not be incentivizing farmers to grow corn for ethanol while Russia's invasion of Ukraine is jeopardizing the lives of Ukraine's citizens and is on track to cause malnutrition across the world," said Congressman Rice. "We need to prioritize using our agricultural resources for putting food on the table and driving down prices to help families during a time of record-breaking inflation."

The existing renewable fuel standard requires 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel that is produced from renewable biomass to be blended into transportation fuel by 2022. The standard includes fuels that are produced from renewable biomass, such as corn. The Rice-Lofgren bill would not affect the standards under the program for advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel, or biomass-based diesel.

The Rice-Lofgren Food Before Fuel Act includes a sense of Congress that says the federal government should not be incentivizing farmers to grow corn for ethanol while Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine is creating significant food shortages around the world.

Click here for full text of the Food Before Fuel Act.

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