Reform the ethanol mandate

For more than 10 years, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has been gradually changing the U.S. fuel supply, injecting more biofuels and corn ethanol into our gasoline every year. Under the policy, America's corn ethanol industry has matured. Corn ethanol will account for 15 billion gallons of the fuel supply this year; it is the preferred octane booster in gasoline and is in high demand as an international export.

In fact, for seven years, the United States has been a net exporter of ethanol fuel.

The policy that many felt was needed to help American biofuel producers "grow up" has served its purpose. The corn ethanol industry is thriving and will continue to do so, even without the RFS. An aggressive fuel mandate is not needed to sustain the industry. And, to be frank, consumers need a reprieve.

A conversation about sunsetting the policy over the next several years, or at least substantively reforming it, needs to start now, while the EPA is reviewing its proposal for the volumes of biofuels that will be mandated in next year's fuel supply.

While the EPA is recommending marginally lower ethanol volumes next year – a small step forward for consumers – there are still flaws, inefficiencies and unintended consequences within the underlying RFS that are leaving Americans shortchanged.