The POPVOX Blog

Our nation is experiencing the worst drought in 50 years, which has led to poor production of corn, soybean and wheat, lowering stocks for food. The drought conditions are also fueling a debate about whether to temporarily suspend the EPA's Renewable Fuels Standard, which establishes the quantity of ethanol required in gasoline. In fact, higher corn prices were said to have contributed a quarter of July's 16 cents per gallon increase in U.S. gasoline prices. (Source.)

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Issue Spotlight: Drought, Ethanol and Gas Prices

We're spotlighting bills related to the drought, ethanol standards and gas prices. It's a great example of intertwined nature of policy-making. Weigh in and share this list with your friends and networks.

Drought and Agriculture Disaster Relief

• HR 6083 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (FARRM Act) provides for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2017. Also implements key programs and reforms to address drought conditions and strengthen farm insurance coverage, according to the Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry, Rep. Tom Rooney (FL-16).
• S 3395 Wildfire and Drought Relief for Ranchers and Farmers Act amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to extend certain supplemental agricultural disaster assistance programs.
• HR 6228 Provides a one-year extension of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, with certain modifications and exceptions, to make supplemental agricultural disaster assistance available for fiscal years 2012 and 2013.
• HR 6233 Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act makes supplemental agricultural disaster assistance available for fiscal year 2012 with the costs of such assistance offset by changes to certain conservation programs.

Ethanol

• HR 3097 Renewable Fuel Standard Flexibility Act to partially waive the renewable fuel standard when corn inventories are low. (And S 3428.)
• S 1185 Ethanol Reform and Deficit Reduction Act amends the tax code to provide for a variable VEETC rate based on the price of crude oil.
• S 1085 amends the Clean Air Act to define next generation biofuel, and to allow States the option of not participating in the corn ethanol portions of the renewable fuel standard due to conflicts with agricultural, economic, energy, and environmental goals.
• HR 4621 to authorize negotiations with Brazil to eliminate tariffs and trade barriers to United States ethanol exports.
• HR 424 Leave Ethanol Volumes at Existing Levels Act repeals certain amendments to the Clean Air Act relating to the expansion of the renewable fuel program.
• HR 426 Remove Incentives for Producing Ethanol Act repeals certain incentives and subsidies for renewable fuels.

Gas Prices

• HR 3784 Gas Price Spike Act imposes a windfall profit tax on oil and natural gas (and products thereof) and to allow an income tax credit for purchases of fuel-efficient passenger vehicles, and to allow grants for mass transit.
• HR 1813 Gas Price Relief Act denies tax benefits to large oil companies and distribute the amounts raised to licensed drivers in order to provide relief from high gas prices.

Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.