Comments on the Renewable Fuel Standard Assessment White Paper: Agricultural Sector Impacts

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) submitted comments to the U.S. House of Representatives advocating for the maintenance of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) as written. EESI argues that the RFS is critical for reducing petroleum dependence, improving urban air quality by reducing aromatic air toxics, and fostering rural economic development. The document contends that factors other than the RFS—such as extreme weather, global meat demand, and commodity speculation—are the primary drivers of corn and soybean price volatility.

• EESI argues that the success of advanced and cellulosic biofuels is heavily dependent on the existing infrastructure and success of conventional ethanol. Many new cellulosic plants are designed to be integrated with conventional facilities to share feedstock suppliers, transportation, and logistics.
• The RFS is presented as a tool for improving public health in urban areas by displacing aromatics in gasoline, which produce toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s) during combustion. Higher ethanol blends (E30 - E85) are identified as a method to provide high octane fuel while reducing these emissions.
• While the RFS may create upward pressure on corn and soy prices, EESI asserts that other factors have played a larger role in driving prices and volatility. These include the 2012-13 drought in the Midwest and Great Plains, volatile petroleum and natural gas prices, growing global demand for meat and dairy (particularly in China), and speculative investment in commodity markets.
• The RFS has increased the value of U.S. agricultural output and created demand for diverse feedstocks, including crop residues, perennial grasses, forestry residues, and urban biogenic waste. EESI notes that more than 200 plants have been built, and the USDA estimates over 400 additional biorefineries are needed to meet the 2022 goal.
• EESI supported the EPA's decision to deny the 2012 waiver request, arguing that granting it would have provided little relief to food and livestock producers while creating devastating uncertainty for investors in the emerging advanced biofuel industry.
• Cellulosic biofuels are expected to benefit rural economies by allowing the use of marginal land and providing new revenue streams through the use of perennial grasses as buffers to protect watersheds and reduce soil erosion.

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (2013). Comments on the Renewable Fuel Standard Assessment White Paper: Agricultural Sector Impacts. https://www.eesi.org/files/042913_EESI_comments_on_white_paper.pdf

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. Comments on the Renewable Fuel Standard Assessment White Paper: Agricultural Sector Impacts. 2013. https://www.eesi.org/files/042913_EESI_comments_on_white_paper.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=Comments on the Renewable Fuel Standard Assessment White Paper: Agricultural Sector Impacts |date=29 April 2013 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/042913_EESI_comments_on_white_paper.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{environmentalandenergystudyinstitute2013comments, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{Comments on the Renewable Fuel Standard Assessment White Paper: Agricultural Sector Impacts}}, publisher = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2013}, month = apr, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/042913_EESI_comments_on_white_paper.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }