TSCRA supports Perry's ethanol waiver request

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association President Jon Means of Van Horn said this week he supports Gov. Rick Perry's request to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a waiver of a portion of the Renewable Fuel Standard.

"TSCRA supports this waiver request," Means said.

"All segments of the livestock industry have been severely impacted by the rising costs of feedstuffs and this request, if granted, would provide some relief.

"TSCRA has been working with other Texas livestock groups to use all tools available to address the rising costs of feedstuffs. We encourage other state and national livestock groups to join us in the support of this waiver request."

The Energy Policy act of 2005 744004574_amended the Clean Air Act to establish a Renewable Fuel Standard program, which was designed to ensure that gasoline sold in the United States contains a minimum volume of renewable fuel.

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 later increased the Renewable Fuel Standard. The legislation mandated that 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels be produced by 2022. Fifteen billion gallons of fuel are to come from grainbased sources, such as corn.

TSCRA protested at the time about the mandate and passed a policy resolution over a year ago that expressed concern about the influence of renewable energy policy on the availability and price of feed grains and other feedstuffs.