HR 101 (LSB 5619HH (3) 85)

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 101

BY  GRASSLEY, COWNIE, S. OLSON, DOLECHECK, HEARTSILL, HEATON, SODERBERG, LANDON, MOORE, BRANDENBURG, STANERSON, DEYOE, COSTELLO, FORRISTALL, GUSTAFSON, DRAKE, PAULSEN, KOESTER, HAGENOW, SHAW, HESS, SCHULTZ, MAXWELL, BACON, GASSMAN, WINDSCHITL, BYRNES, KAUFMANN, HEIN, KLEIN, PETTENGILL, SANDS, BAUDLER, J. SMITH, ALONS, HUSEMAN, VANDER LINDEN, UPMEYER, R. TAYLOR, OURTH, MUHLBAUER, M. SMITH, MURPHY, LOFGREN, FRY, HALL, GASKILL, HANSON, RUFF, HANUSA, JORGENSEN, BEARINGER, H. MILLER, RIDING, FISHER, SHEETS, and DUNKEL

A Resolution urging the United States government to renew its commitment to farmers, lower fuel prices, and the environment by supporting a robust and sustainable renewable fuel standard.

   WHEREAS, in accordance with the federal policy including the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-58, the United States government has demonstrated its commitment to the long-term policy of increasing the production of clean renewable fuels according to a renewable fuel standard (RFS), by enabling the increased domestic production and use of renewable fuels, which include renewable biofuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, and cellulosic and advanced biofuels; and
   WHEREAS, the RFS provides the foundation for reducing this nation’s dependence on foreign sources of oil, reducing the price of transportation fuels, reducing transportation fuel emissions, increasing rural incomes, encouraging the development and expansion of new advanced biofuels, and consequently promoting economic growth; and
   WHEREAS, the RFS assists in bringing new technologies to farmers and consumers, and points the country in the direction of energy independence; and
   WHEREAS, international turmoil has repeatedly caused increased oil spikes and increased transportation costs for consumers, including increased costs attributable to the transportation of food and other goods; and
   WHEREAS, biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
   WHEREAS, Iowa’s biofuels industry has added over $8 billion to Iowa’s economy and generated $2 billion in new household income; and
   WHEREAS, approximately 90,000 Iowa farmers support their families and reinvigorate rural communities through innovative and high-tech agricultural production; and
   WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for establishing and implementing the RFS, including the requirement that certain volumes of various types of biofuels be blended in transportation fuels each year; and
   WHEREAS, the EPA recently proposed reducing the volume levels of ethanol and biodiesel in the RFS, in direct conflict with the statute; and
   WHEREAS, the EPA’s proposal is estimated to cause the loss of 37,400 ethanol-related jobs and the loss of 7,500 biodiesel-related jobs; and
   WHEREAS, the EPA’s proposal will cause a reduction in the price of corn below the cost of production with a negative economic impact on midwest farm families, agribusinesses, and rural communities; and
   WHEREAS, the EPA’s proposal will cause a substantial reduction in the long-term investment in biofuels infrastructure and a reduction in investments in further energy innovation for ethanol, biodiesel, advanced biofuels, and cellulosic biofuels; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the United States government is urged to renew its commitment to farmers, lower fuel prices, and the environment by supporting a robust and sustainable RFS and use all efforts to meet the highest possible renewable fuel volume requirements set forth in the current RFS in order to ensure that this nation diversifies its energy portfolio; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be delivered to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States, to the Honorable Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, to the Honorable Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, and to each member of Iowa’s congressional delegation.