Spencer, IA: (Aug 27, 2012) - Texas Republican Governor Rick Perry sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on Friday asking for a full or partial waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard.
 
Perry joins governors from six other states, members of Congress and several livestock groups in pressing EPA for a waiver.
 
Concerns are that this year’s severe drought will lead to a short corn crop and high feed prices for livestock producers.
 
In his letter, Perry made the case that economic conditions are more severe than they were the last time he requested a waiver four years ago.
 
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has also written EPA regarding the Renewable Fuels Standard. Branstad, however, asked EPA not to waive the requirement to blend ethanol into gasoline. Iowa is home to more than forty ethanol production plants.
 
A little more than 27 percent of the U.S. corn crop is used to produce ethanol, after DDGs are subtracted.
 
EPA recently opened a 30-day public comment period on the waiver request.