Number
080077
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BOHL
Title
Substitute resolution expressing City of Milwaukee support for efforts to discontinue federal corn ethanol mandates, cease incentives for corn ethanol production and end tariffs on imported biofuels.
Analysis
The federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandates the production of 15 billion gallons of corn ethanol by 2015 and 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022. The 2007 U.S. Farm Bill under consideration includes $5.2 billion in direct payments to farmers and sets aside over $400 million for the production, research and use of ethanol and other biofuels. Federal policy also grants a 51-cent per gallon ethanol blender tax credit and imposes a 54-cent per gallon tariff on imported biofuels.
This resolution expresses City of Milwaukee support for efforts to end federal corn ethanol mandates, end incentives for corn-based ethanol production and end tariffs on imported biofuels. The resolution further states that federal emphasis on ethanol production has not decreased dependence on foreign oil, has been attributed to an increase in food prices and a decrease in the food supply, and has had little discernible financial benefit to most farmers. Corn-based ethanol production is energy and water intensive, while effectively counteracting well-established conservation programs, all negating purported environmental benefits of the biofuel.
Body
Whereas, Domestic corn ethanol production is encouraged, subsidized and protected in the U.S. by:
1. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which mandates the production of 15 billion gallons of corn ethanol by 2015 and 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022.
2. The proposed 2007 U.S. Farm Bill, which includes $5.2 billion in direct payments to farmers based on crop acreage and allots over $400 million for the production, research and use of ethanol and other biofuels.
3. A 51-cent per gallon tax cr...
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