BioFuels Journal

BFJ.com Q & A Podcast With ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings on Texas RFS Waiver Request

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has until July 24 to rule on a request by Texas Governor Rick Perry to waive half of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) which mandates ethanol be blended with gasoline.

BioFuels Journal Editor Myke Feinman conducted a phone interview June 26 with Brian Jennings, executive vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol.

Highlights from the interview:

On the EPA's decision to waive half of the 2008 RFS

"I find it highly unlikely the EPA would waive the RFS."

Why not?

"The preponderance of evidence will indicate that the RFS isnot causing food price inflation. Fuel prices would be further exacerbated if the RFS were to be scaled back."

How Critical is the RFS to the ethanol industry?

"The RFS is critical to the future of the ethanol industry. The RFS is equivalent of market certaintly over the long term."

If the EPA waived 1/2 of the 2008 RFS?

"It would kill any chance we would have for cellulosic ethanol in the near term."

Facts About the Waiver Request

• The RFS mandate for 2008 requires that 9 billion gallons of ethanol be blended with the nation’s gasoline supply.

• Gov. Perry's request to waive 1/2 of the 2008 RFS is because of "skyrocketing" food prices.

• The waiver request was filed by Gov. Perry on April 25 and the EPA has 90 days to make a decision.

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