The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied a Texas request to reduce the national biofuels mandate in half for a year, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson said today.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry requested that EPA lower the 2008 renewable fuel standard from 9 billion gallons to 4.5 billion gallons. He claims that the mandate is causing higher food and feed costs, and therby hurting the Texas economy.
"The [renewable fuel standard] is strengthening the nation's energy security and supporting America's farming communities," Johnson said. The mandate "will remain an important tool in our ongoing effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lessen our dependence on foreign oil in aggressive yet practical ways."
