The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday rejected a request from eight governors and nearly 200 members of Congress to waive requirements for the use of corn-based ethanol in the nation's 240 million vehicles in the wake of this summer's severe drought.
The EPA said it has not found evidence to support a finding of severe "economic harm" that would warrant granting a waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard.
"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."
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