The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauds the House of Representatives in its 235-181 passage Thursday of the Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6). The House bill includes a 36-billion-gallon Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) with 15 billion gallons for corn-based ethanol.
“NCGA is excited about the 15-billion-gallon expanded RFS for grains-based ethanol that the leadership included in the House package,” says NCGA President Ron Litterer. “We hope to see the RFS quickly move through the Senate and to the president’s desk. The passage of the RFS is our number one priority.”
NCGA thanked the many renewable fuels champions of the House who made this legislative victory possible and the farmers nationwide who were active on the issue. “We are grateful to the many growers who contacted members of the House of Representatives to push for an expanded RFS,” Litterer says. “Your united voice is still needed to ensure the larger battle is won.”
The following are key provisions of the House energy bill:
• Expands RFS for corn ethanol to 15 billion gallons by 2015
• Requires 9 billion gallons of renewable fuels in 2008 and progressively increases to a 36-billion-gallon requirement by 2022
• Moves the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit from 51¢/gal. to 46¢/gal.
• Extends the biodiesel tax credit to 2010
The attention now turns to the Senate, which is expected to take up the measure next week. NCGA is committed to the passage of an energy bill before the end of the year.