Threats to Forest Protections in RFS Continue

Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (D-SD) is at it again, advocating for the removal of critical forest protections in the Renewable Fuels Standard.  She has re-introduced her bill that would change the defintion of “Renewable Biomass” and thereby sweeping aside protections for forests and other native habitats from biofuels production. 

Making matters worst, she is now joined by Senator Thune (D-SD) and Tester (D-MT), who have introduced a companion bill on the Senate side. 

These bills would roll back critical environmental safeguards that protect important habitat, at risk forests and grass lands, and our federal forests.  Not to mention, deforestation already contributes about 20 percent of global GHG emissions.  Biofuels policy must not contribute to this problem.

Friends of the Earth and others wrote to both the House and the Senate in opposition to this move.  The Senate letter has over 40 different national, regional and grassroots group, all vocally unified that we do not want our forests to fill our tanks.

P.S. Rep. Herseth-Sandlin and Senator Thune have both been nominated by Friends of the Earth and Rainforest Action Network as a contestant for 2009’s Biofool competition.  You can vote here to nominate either of them. 

Letter to the House | Letter to the Senate