Summary of Bill HR 7484
Bill 117 hr 7484, also known as the Food before Fuel Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to prioritize the production of food over the production of biofuels, specifically ethanol, in order to address concerns about rising food prices and food insecurity.
The bill aims to achieve this goal by placing restrictions on the amount of corn that can be used for ethanol production, as corn is a key ingredient in many food products. By limiting the amount of corn that can be diverted to biofuel production, the bill seeks to ensure that an adequate supply of corn is available for food production, which in turn can help stabilize food prices and improve food security for American consumers.
Supporters of the Food before Fuel Act argue that prioritizing food production over biofuel production is essential for addressing the growing food crisis in the US and around the world. They believe that by redirecting resources away from biofuels and towards food production, the bill can help alleviate hunger and food insecurity, particularly among low-income and vulnerable populations.
Opponents of the bill, however, argue that biofuels play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting energy independence, and that limiting their production could have negative environmental and economic consequences. They also point out that advancements in biofuel technology have made it possible to produce biofuels from non-food sources, such as algae and switchgrass, which could help alleviate concerns about competition between food and fuel production.
Overall, the Food before Fuel Act is a controversial piece of legislation that raises important questions about the trade-offs between food and fuel production. As Congress considers this bill, it will be important for lawmakers to carefully weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of prioritizing food production over biofuel production in order to make informed decisions that best serve the interests of the American people.
Congressional Summary of HR 7484
Food before Fuel Act
This bill revises the renewable fuel program to eliminate the annual renewable fuel standard.
The existing standard requires 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel that is produced from renewable biomass to be blended into transportation fuel by 2022. The renewable fuel standard includes fuels that are produced from renewable biomass, such as corn.
The bill would not affect the standards under the program for advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel, or biomass-based diesel.