GEORGIA/NEW MEXICO, US: Nathan Deal, Governor, Georgia and Susana Martinez, Governor, New Mexico urged Lisa Jackson, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use her existing waiver authority as soon as possible to adjust the corn-ethanol mandate for the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), becoming the fifth and sixth governors to make such a request, according to the American Meat Institute.
“In addition to the direct economic harm from the drought within the border of our state, Georgia is heavily dependent on grain produced in other states to support its poultry and livestock industries. Severe economic harm is therefore being caused by the applicable volume requirements of the RFS, and a waiver of this requirement is fully justified under section 211(o) (7) of the CAA (42 U.S.C 7545(o) (7),” noted Governor Deal.
“To help alleviate the negative impacts caused by the severe drought conditions, I urge you to consider granting an immediate waiver from the RFS. Approving this waiver would help ease the burden of increased feed costs, food products supply and the continued hardships current economic conditions are inflicting on producers and consumers alike,” Governor Martinez stated in his petition.
August’s crop report released by USDA shows US corn supplies for 2012-2013 will hit a nine-year low due to the nation’s record-breaking drought and other factors, which will drive record corn prices even higher. According to the crop report, corn is projected at a record $7.50 to $8.90 per bushel, up sharply from the $5.40 to $6.40 per bushel projected in July.
© NationalHogFarmer News