Broad national energy coalition throws support behind Domestic Alternative Fuels Act of 2013

The Domestic Fuel Solutions Group (DFSG), a coalition of business, transportation, agricultural, food industry, dairy, livestock and state legislative interests seeking solutions to the problems plaguing US energy policies, is throwing its support behind the Domestic Alternative Fuels Act of 2013 (HR 1959), which was introduced in the House of Representatives today by Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) and Rep Jim Costa (D-CA) and sixteen congressmen from both political parties.  HR 1959 aims to amend section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act to allow the energy and fuel industries to use alternative feedstocks such as ethanol derived from natural gas to satisfy their obligations under the federal Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

"The restaurant industry is concerned with our nation's energy policies and we believe we must make a strong effort to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and stimulate the growth of the alternative energy economy," said Stan Harris, Louisiana Restaurant Association President/CEO. "Expanding the conventional biofuels component of the RFS is the answer. This move will lower the price of ethanol by allowing a move away from corn ethanol production, which hopefully should reduce the escalation of corn prices and in turn the rising cost of beef and other food items."  

Currently the RFS limits the feedstocks that are eligible to produce conventional ethanol to renewable sources like corn.  But increasing mandates for corn ethanol, coupled with the recent drought and other weather-related factors, have put enormous pressure on corn supplies and prices, severely impacting the fuel, agriculture, livestock, transportation and food service industries and creating hardship for consumers who depend on affordable corn and fuel prices.