Abandon proposed ethanol changes, Iowa’s State Treasurer urges

Michael L. Fitzgerald, Iowa's State Treasurer, has argued for the Environmental Protection Agency to scrap its proposal to reduce its Renewable Fuel Standard.

The proposed rule would reduce the state's volume requirement for ethanol, potentially harming the environment.

'I am urging the EPA to not reduce the ethanol amount in the RFS. Limiting the amount of ethanol produced will harm each part of the supply chain across Iowa. Ethanol can be produced in large volumes, unlike other renewable fuels,' Fitzgerald stresses.

Iowa Corn Growers state that ethanol is accountable for 55,000 jobs across Iowa and is responsible for $5.4 billion (€3.9 billion) of Iowa's Gross Domestic Product.

'I have supported President Obama's call to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and cut carbon emissions. However, the EPA's proposed rule will not help accomplish either of the president's goals and will hurt Iowa's economy in the process. Ethanol is cleaner than regular petrol and is the energy of the future. I urge the EPA to reconsider this proposed rule,' Fitzgerald concludes.