U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Texas, introduced legislation in Congress this week that would allow ethanol produced from sources such as domestic natural gas and coal to be included under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
The bill – H.R.3773, the Domestic Alternative Fuels Act – is aimed at giving corn-based ethanol some competition in the marketplace and helping to stabilize food prices, according to Olson's office.
‘The RFS was designed to reduce our need for imported oil, but the unintended consequences have resulted in escalated food and feedstock prices by diverting food crops to ethanol production,’ reads a statement from Olson's office.
Original bill co-sponsors include Reps. Gene Green, D-Texas; Joe Pitts, R-Pa.; Jim Costa, D-Calif.; David McKinley, R-W.V.; and Charlie Gonzales, D-Texas.
