White House hints at dangerous biofuel targets

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Yesterday President Obama’s advisor John Podesta met with senators on Capitol Hill to discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) reported afterwards that the EPA plans to raise the 2014 biofuel mandates, thereby increasing the amount of conventional and advanced biofuel blended into the U.S. fuel supply.

Friends of the Earth Climate and energy campaigner Lukas Ross issued the following statement in response:

At a time when the social and environmental evidence against the renewable fuel standard is mounting, the Obama administration should be decreasing incentives for problematic biofuels and increasing support for truly clean energy sources. By doubling down on dirty fuels like corn starch ethanol and soybean biodiesel, our government sacrifices public health to corporate profits in order to appease the agriculture lobby.

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Contact:
Lukas Ross, Climate and energy campaigner, (202) 222-0724, [email protected]
Kate Colwell, Communications specialist, (202) 222-0744, [email protected]