New EPA biofuel targets are a threat to NM’s farmers

Senators Martin Heinrich, Tom Udall take a stand to help the farming community

I am writing to thank Senators Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall for their recent letter to the Environmental Protection Agency asking the agency to increase the volume of renewable fuel used in the country. No one knows better than those of us who farm in the state that our climate is changing, and New Mexico is vulnerable.

Transportation emissions now make up about one-third of our country’s greenhouse gas emissions. And the Energy Information Administration reported in May 2016 that U.S. gasoline consumption this year is expected to set a new record — eclipsing the current 2007 record of 9.3 million barrels per day.

We cannot address climate change without cutting emissions from oil.

This means that oil alternatives must be a national priority — specifically the investment in and production of renewable fuels.

Fortunately, Congress recognized this in 2007 and enacted the Renewable Fuel Standard, which steadily increases the amount of biofuel blended into our gasoline supply.

Unfortunately, this year, the EPA diverged from the law, proposing blending targets for 2017 that are lower than what can easily be produced. And the flawed methodology in the proposed rule is driving investment to markets in China, Brazil and Europe as cellulosic and advanced biofuel producers seek more favorable regulatory environments.

Today, cellulosic biofuels are being produced at a commercial scale and delivering over a 90 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to oil. We need these reductions here in the U.S.

It is these advanced biofuels that will use feedstocks like sorghum in the future, creating opportunities and jobs right here in New Mexico.

We are already familiar with growing products that provide multiple benefits.

For example, when corn is used to produce renewable fuel, the process also yields an extremely nutritious and high-value animal feed called dried distillers grain. Over one-third of the corn used in ethanol production returns to the food system in the form of millions of tons of dried distillers grain, often used for cattle feed.

Thank you to Heinrich and Udall for standing up for New Mexico farmers.

Box Farms, Irrigation & Beef, a family-owned farm, is located in Tucumcari.