The National Corn Growers Association expressed grave concern and disappointment with the Environmental Protection Agency’s final 2027-2032 tailpipe emissions standards. NCGA says the plan still relies almost exclusively on using electric vehicles, a decision that will have long-lasting impacts on the rural economy because it ignores the benefits of ethanol. Economists at the University of Nebraska say the resulting large drop in corn demand will lead to a permanent 50 percent decrease in the price of corn. That could cost the top five corn-producing states well over $100 billion in farmland value. The Renewable Fuels Association says today’s ruling is not the best way to accomplish the administration’s climate goals. “Today’s final rule forces automakers to produce more electric battery vehicles based on the premise that they’re ‘zero-emission’ vehicles,” says RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “The regulation would strongly discourage manufacturers from pursuing other technologies like flex fuel vehicles.”
New EPA tailpipe standards raise concerns from ag groups
