Abraham Reaffirms RFS Support

July 1, 2002

U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham has reaffirmed the Bush administration's support for the renewable fuels standard (RFS) in national energy legislation. Abraham supported the RFS in a letter written to House-Senate Energy Conference Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-LA) to provide the administration's views on the legislation that is now before the conference committee.

Within Abraham's letter is a section entitled "Renewable Fuels Standard" which reads, "The administration supports the renewable fuels standard compromise contained in the Senate bill and urges the conferees to adopt it. This provision will increase the use of clean, domestically produced renewable fuels, like ethanol, which will improve the Nation's energy security, farm economy, and environment.

"The compromise includes a market-based national credit trading mechanism that will increase efficiency and reduce costs. The administration would oppose changes in the renewable fuels standard provisions that would raise costs and reduce efficiency of the credit-trading program, which is vital to making a renewable energy program for motor fuels economically viable."

National Corn Growers Association Director of Energy Analysis John McClelland said, "We are very pleased with the administration's position on the RFS. This strong support positions us well in the conference. This letter demonstrates the administration's commitment to passing an energy bill and supporting the RFS as an important part of the bill."

McClelland added that the conference could be lengthy, and the nation's corn growers need to finish what they started. "Our growers need to continue to remind their elected officials how important the RFS and the energy bill is. We've won a battle, but we need to be ready for the long haul."