Browse > Home / Opinion / Today in Biofuels Opinion: “The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is a significant factor in the increased cost of commodities”

Today in Biofuels Opinion: “The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is a significant factor in the increased cost of commodities”

July 1, 2008

Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, supporting an RFS waiver: “The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is a significant factor in the increased cost of commodities, which is causing severe economic harm for low-income Americans and livestock producers. The (Bush) administration can immediately impact the supply of corn that will be used for food and feed and lessen the severe economic harm facing millions of Americans.”

Russell Gold of the Wall Street Journal: “It sounds too good to be true. Take some fallow land that is unsuited for growing food. Build some ponds and let microscopic algae bloom. Harvest the algae, extract the vegetable oil and turn it into a green-tinged transportation fuel. The truth is, it is too good to be true — at least right now.”

  • Today in Biofuels Opinion: “While ethanol production … is a factor in increased (food) prices, it’s not the driving factor.”
    • US Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer: "Things have become apparent that while ethanol production ... is a factor in increased (food) prices, it's not the driving factor. Energy, and increased consum...
  • Today in Biofuels Opinion: “the RFS made sense when you passed it in December and prices were $90 a barrel. It makes more sense today with crude oil prices at $120 a barrel”
    • A spokesman for US President George W. Bush: "We think it is a good thing that countries are developing, that more and more people have higher and higher standards of living....as you increase your st...
  • Today in Biofuels Opinion: “unlikely that the Renewable Fuel Standard will be repealed or waived”
    • From UBS Investment Research: "We believe that, despite all the recent talk and news coverage of the food vs. fuel debate, it is unlikely that the [Renewable Fuel Standard] will be repealed or waived ...
  • Today in BIofuels Opinion: “We haven’t even begun to see the impact on the cost of food.”
    • Kent Barton, plant spokesman for Moroni Feed: "I don't believe consumers understand what's going to hit them next year. We haven't even begun to see the impact on the cost of food." Gary Truitt, Ho...
  • Today in Biofuels Opinion: US Energy Secretary says ethanol contributes to rising corn prices, “we must also pursue diversity in our biofuels”
    • The president of the American Farm Bureau Federation writes in the Hartford Courant: "The popular misconception that increased usage of corn for ethanol production is the only factor driving higher fo...
  • Texas A&M study concludes ethanol production drop will not lower corn prices; says oil, speculation driving prices
    • Researchers from Texas A&M University have concluded that eliminating the Renewable Fuel Standard "does not result in significantly lower corn prices," and that "The underlying force driving changes i...

    Written by Jim Lane · Filed Under Opinion 

    Comments

    Got something to say?

    You must be logged in to post a comment.