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EPA rejects governors' requests to waive ethanol mandate
Houston Chronicle ^ | November 16, 2012 | Jennifer Dlouhy

Posted on 11/16/2012 10:57:31 PM PST by neverdem

The Obama administration on Friday rebuffed requests by Texas Gov. Rick Perry and the leaders of several other states to waive a federal renewable fuel mandate that requires ethanol to be blended into the nation's gasoline supply.

In rejecting the waiver requests, the Environmental Protection Agency effectively disagreed with the states' concerns that the mandate was spiking corn demand and prices following a drought that devastated crops in the Midwest. The EPA concluded the Renewable Fuel Standard would not cause "severe economic harm" to states and regions.

"We recognize that this year's drought has created hardship in some sectors of the economy, particularly for livestock producers," said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "But our extensive analysis makes clear that congressional requirements for a waiver have not been met and that waiving the RFS will have little, if any, impact."

This is the second time Perry has lost his bid for a renewable fuel standard exemption...

(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: epa; ethanol; ethanolmandate; perry2016; rfs; rickperry
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To: neverdem

Hey Rick, do it anyway. Screw the EPA and nobama.


21 posted on 11/17/2012 6:39:16 AM PST by upchuck (America's at an awkward stage. Too late to work within the system, too early to shoot the bastards.)
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To: Smokin' Joe

“...Think about anything run by the Federal Government, very carefully. ...’

Once the tainted finger of the federal government touches anything, the rot begins.


22 posted on 11/17/2012 6:42:00 AM PST by lgjhn23
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To: ilovesarah2012

The problem is the fedgov can withhold money the states are due (money that was taken from the taxpayers in the first place.)


23 posted on 11/17/2012 6:42:29 AM PST by nascarnation (Baraq's bankruptcy: 2016)
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To: nascarnation

Until the states tell the feds to take “their” money and shove it where the sun don’t shine, nothing will change. I am sick of the blackmail by the federal government.


24 posted on 11/17/2012 6:54:05 AM PST by ilovesarah2012
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To: MadMax, the Grinning Reaper

Do you know why? The corn growers own congressmen, and apparently they have more clout than ranchers and people who raise livestock. You can bet there are some Republicans along with Dems who are in the pockets of the corn farmers. This is why spending will never decrease. Nobody wants to give up her place at the trough.


25 posted on 11/17/2012 7:32:51 AM PST by Pining_4_TX ( The state is the great fiction by which everybody seeks to live at the expense of everybody else. ~)
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To: bert
IIRC, the economics of fuel ethanol are driven by it's ability to provide the same energy for a given volume of gasoline. Unless ethanol's price is allowed to fall it won't be competitively priced. I'm all for flex fuels, electric and the whole gamut of alternatives to ME oil.

The problem is government subsidies and mandates. Let the market work. The media is always in cahoots about market failures when no free market is operating - stock bubbles, housing bubbles, etc.

We need to kill the sugar tariff and allow Brazil to export ethanol to the US. Why are our representatives only representing a privy few?

26 posted on 11/17/2012 7:38:53 AM PST by 1010RD (First, Do No Harm)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

[snip] “...gasoline marketers were no longer required to use an oxygenate...” [/snip]

from http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/re_ethanol_mtbe.htm

That page also sez an additional 130,000 bbl per day of ethanol will be needed to meet the biofuel mandate.

At $100 a barrel, that obviates the need to send 130000*42*100=

$546 million per day overseas, or (over a year of 365 days)

$199,290,000,000, about $200 billion.

Oil exporting countries will still get the rest of the money, so don’t worry, they’ll be okay. /s

In addition, US petroleum production has blown by the former peak using various “new” sources; with the US economy in the tank thanks to Barney Frank and Zero and that cadre, and the world demand for fuel rising, the market price has led to US petroleum being exported.

A rise in ethanol use and an increase in vehicle fuel economy (the latter is required, but with continued high market prices for petroleum it could scarce have not happened), and give or take more and more US petroleum production with a continued Obama Recession, we’ll see a massive economic recovery under the Republican president elected in 2016, don’t know who yet, but I’m sure plenty around here won’t vote for him or her.

http://www.epa.gov/mtbe/gas.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methyl_tert-butyl_ether

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel_in_the_United_States

Energy Policy Act of 2005
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Policy_Act_of_2005
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-109publ58/pdf/PLAW-109publ58.pdf

Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Independence_and_Security_Act_of_2007#Title_II:_Energy_Security_Through_Increased_Production_of_Biofuels


27 posted on 11/17/2012 7:58:14 AM PST by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: 1010RD

And so... the reason it is mandated is? Somebody is making a deal. Somebody is being slipped some money.... probably a lot of money.

Always follow the money.


28 posted on 11/17/2012 8:10:22 AM PST by Sequoyah101
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To: neverdem

EPA will NEVER admit they are wrong about anything.

Global warming?

Think about this:

Where do they place the temperature recorders all across the USA?

NOT in open fields....not in the shade.

They are placed in cities between brick buildings and about 6 feet above blacktop or concrete surfaces.

Anyone over the age of 5 knows that those surfaces trap and hold heat.

Sooooo—the OFFICIAL recorders of temperature are being placed where they will record the highest heat possible.

Another way we are being lied to.

There is NO Global Warming. It is a deceitful placement of the thermometers.


29 posted on 11/17/2012 9:05:19 AM PST by ridesthemiles
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To: neverdem

The addition of corn/ethanol to our gasoline at 10% blend, used about 40% of a normal corn crop in the USA.

This year’s drought reduced the corn crop by over 40%.

Sooo- if the ethanol usage takes 40% of normal and the drought took 40% of normal, then this leaves 20% for food and food additives.

The EPA is covering this fact up.


30 posted on 11/17/2012 9:07:45 AM PST by ridesthemiles
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To: nascarnation

And the States should on up and dictate that all monies will go through the State first, and any loss of revenue will be skimmed off before the rest is sent to D.C. and marked PIF

I wish people would stop using the ‘Fed’s money’...it is the taxpayers. The State is responsible for its People, the Fed is only there to make sure all have their Rights.


31 posted on 11/17/2012 9:10:04 AM PST by i_robot73
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To: taildragger

In San Diego, you cannot have any water on concrete or blacktop. Therefore, you cannot wash your car at home, unless it is on the grass.

IF you don’t pick up YOUR dog’s droppings on YOUR lawn in a timely manner that suits the rule makers, you can be fined up to $100,000 and get 6 years in jail.


32 posted on 11/17/2012 9:11:24 AM PST by ridesthemiles
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To: 1010RD

Ethanol does NOT provide the same ‘energy’/horsepower by volume as old fashined gasoline.

Ask any race car owner.

Ethanol gives off about 66% of the same BTU’s as gasoline by volume.

Therefore, you have to use 50% more ethanol to get the same horsepower.
We are using more fuel—priced by the gallon & taxed by the gallon to get the same horsepower.

I still haven’t found a suitable additive for my chain saw, weed eater, etc.

I am open to suggestions.


33 posted on 11/17/2012 9:15:11 AM PST by ridesthemiles
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To: ridesthemiles

We used to export up to half of the US corn crop. That’s currently down to 13%.

When DDGS are returned to the feed market, only a little over 25% of the US corn crop is used for fuel.

And there’s 20 million more acres planted in corn than there was a few years ago. That acreage increase is due to ethanol demand.

Wanna go broke? Invest your money betting AGAINST the American farmer’s ability to over-produce almost anything!

South America is also stepping up corn production.


34 posted on 11/17/2012 9:22:09 AM PST by jjotto ("Ya could look it up!")
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To: MadMax, the Grinning Reaper; Secret Agent Man; wardaddy; Joe Brower; Cannoneer No. 4; ...
I’ve had to deal with the EPA. Their theme is “Stupidity is us”.

The left has wrecked the culture. America really got stupid!

‘A VALLEY FORGE MOMENT FOR CONSERVATIVES’

The Americanness of the American Revolution - Why the Founders succeeded

Generals and Geographic Bachelors This link helps to answer the last link.

“America Wages War Like the World’s Biggest NGO”

Some noteworthy articles about politics, foreign or military affairs, IMHO, FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.

35 posted on 11/17/2012 10:02:21 AM PST by neverdem ( Xin loi min oi)
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To: Sequoyah101

Agree completely. Same thing with the sugar tariffs. It’s one of the problems with “ear marks” and government budgets in general. When you’re spending a billion, a million is a rounding error.


36 posted on 11/17/2012 10:07:55 AM PST by 1010RD (First, Do No Harm)
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To: neverdem

I guess Perry, needs to ignore the EPA and do it anyway. Time to ignore anything and everything coming out of DC.


37 posted on 11/17/2012 10:16:32 AM PST by Despot of the Delta
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To: 1010RD

Sugar Tariffs are what brought us High Fructose Corn Syrup. Take a look at the rise in HFCS and Obesity. Tell me it isn’t different. My Doc told me the other day evidence just keeps piling up showing that HFCS is poison.

http://www.diabetesdaily.com/voices/2009/05/chart-obesity-high-fructose-corn-syrup/

You can also have a little liver disease or renal failure to go with your HFCS.

Thanks FEDS. You got your money we get sick and fat.


38 posted on 11/17/2012 12:21:07 PM PST by Sequoyah101
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To: neverdem

Thanks for the ping!


39 posted on 11/17/2012 9:10:36 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: MadMax, the Grinning Reaper

I have dealt with EPA many times as to regulations. Long ago I came to the conclusion that the agency and many state agencies hire people who are or have mastered the art of circular reasons and explanations to the extent of even redefining commonly accepted definitions and societal purposes. Until government becomes more tuned to non bureaucratic influences such orders as put out by EPA will continue. We can thank that ultra conservative Republican Nixon for setting up such an organization.


40 posted on 11/17/2012 9:25:39 PM PST by noinfringers2
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