Attempt to Strip Climate Protections from Biofuels Mandate Defeated
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Nick Berning, 202-222-0748 Kate McMahon, 202-222-0715 WASHINGTON, D.C.-Last night, the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted down a potentially devastating amendment introduced by Congressman Lee Terry of Nebraska that would have prevented all global warming pollution from biofuels from being counted. The amendment failed on a 20-36 vote. Friends of the Earth’s Kate McMahon, praised members of the committee who voted to continue accurate accounting practices for greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore maintain global warming protections. “Representatives Waxman, Markey and Inslee in particular should be commended for taking a strong stand against corporate agribusiness’ attempt to eliminate protections against excessive pollution from biofuels,” said McMahon. “The fact that House members in the pocket of corporate agribusiness are trying to strip climate provisions from biofuels policy in a bill that is supposed to reduce global warming pollution, and even threaten to hold the whole process hostage, is outrageous and dangerous. Fortunately, their proposal was defeated.” Friends of the Earth continues to defend the important “land use change” provision in the federal biofuels mandate, so that all pollution resulting from biofuels production is taken into account, and so that pollution-intensive biofuel production can be avoided. ### Friends of the Earth (www.foe.org) is the U.S. voice of the worlds largest grassroots environmental network, with member groups in 77 countries. Since 1969, Friends of the Earth has been at the forefront of high-profile efforts to create a more healthy, just world.