Higher gas prices and plowing over natural conservation land should be cause enough for Congress to revisit the ethanol mandate, but the fundamental problem with policy is simply a disconnect with economic basics.
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For the first time since the ethanol mandate was enacted, a government agency has confirmed what the refining industry has said for years…forcing ethanol into our fuel supply will increase gas prices.
Corn ethanol is forcing its way into the marketplace and is likely increasing greenhouse gas emissions, according to the National Academy of Sciences. In fact, corn-based ethanol nearly doubles GHG emissions over 30 years and increases greenhouse gases for 167 years.
With the government shutdown, the rest of the country is left to bear the consequences of continued inaction. Reform to the ethanol mandate or RFS, which appeared to be moving forward, is now stalled with the rest of the government.
North Dakota is going to have a red hot debate over conservation as signatures are collected for a second statewide conservation fund fueled with millions upon millions of taxpayer dollars.