Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin has joined her colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee in asking Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson to extend the public comment period on a proposed rule impacting ethanol and biofuels from 60 to 180 days.

EPA’s draft rule for implementation of the Renewable Fuels Standard includes findings on so-called indirect land use changes in the United States and other countries that some are attributing to biofuels production.

“I’m extremely disappointed that in issuing this proposed rule, EPA may be accepting questionable models of land use that are not well grounded in sound science and haven’t been fully tested in the scientific world,” the South Dakota Democrat said during a Thursday conference call.

It is encouraging to her, however, that EPA is taking public comment and also convening an independent, outside panel of scientific experts to review the agency’s findings.

Herseth Sandlin said she is also pushing to ensure that the final rule fairly recognizes the innovations of U.S. agricultural producers and biofuels producers who are increasing yields per acre and enhancing the production process to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Renewable Fuels Standard passed two years ago will increase the volume of renewable fuel required to be blended into gasoline from nine billion gallons in 2008 to 36 billion gallons by 2022.

For the first time, some renewable fuels must achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions compared to the gasoline and diesel fuels they displace.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said Wednesday the EPA’s draft rule estimating ethanol’s impact around the world would pose a huge risk for the industry. He has introduced a bill to require the use of direct lifecycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions and to prevent the use of indirect land use change analysis in considering the greenhouse gas impact of renewable fuels.

Herseth Sandlin said nothing speculative should be included in the rule. It should be based on peer-reviewed science, not political agendas, she said.

“EPA doesn’t have the expertise in this area, USDA does, and it’s critically important that USDA be fully involved at every step going forward,” she said.

She also applauded President Obama for directing Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to pursue biofuels development in recognition of “the key role rural America will play in the development of biofuel technology and development.”

Vilsack was directed to immediately begin refinancing existing investments in renewable fuels as needed to preserve jobs in ethanol and biodiesel plants.

Meanwhile, South Dakota’s congressional delegation commented on the president’s $3.6 billion budget he unveiled Thursday.

The plan reduces 121 existing federal programs for a savings of $17 billion. But Thune said that’s less than one half of 1 percent of the federal budget.

“To say that cutting one half of 1 percent from the budget is a major step forward for fiscal discipline is cynical politics at best,” he said.

But Herseth Sandlin said the $17 billion is a beginning and “there is a long way to go.”

The fact is, the federal government must be streamlined and the budget finally reflects an honest picture of spending, now including costs associated with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, she said.

Entitlement reform is also necessary, she said, adding that health care reform is entitlement reform.

Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., said the Obama administration inherited a nearly $1 trillion deficit and a severe economic crisis.

“Especially in this difficult budget atmosphere, we should be spending wisely and focusing on getting back on track as soon as possible,” he said.

The president and Congress have committed to cutting the deficit in half, something that will require tough decisions, he said.

“There are some that will say it’s not enough, but it’s a good start,” Johnson said.







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