Back in April, Texas Gov. Rick Perry requested a one-year, 50-percent waiver of the federal ethanol mandate. Despite evidence that the massive conversion of corn to motor fuel was causing hardships to Texas agriculture producers and consumers, the EPA earlier today rejected that request. Here’s the reaction from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, home of Planet Gore contributor Drew Thornley.

Today’s EPA decision will increase food prices, drive up fuel costs, and reduce fuel efficiency at a time when Americans can least afford any of these.
The denial of Gov. Rick Perry’s waiver request means the massive distortions in our economy will continue. Texas livestock producers will suffer billions of dollars in additional losses, and the financial hardships suffered by Texas families will intensify.
U.S. food prices rose almost 7 percent in the first half of 2008 because we are converting almost one-third of our corn crop into a motor fuel – one that is far less fuel efficient and the production of which generates far more CO2 than gasoline. Ethanol is creating a global food crisis, with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund attributing three-fourths of the surge in food prices to international biofuel policy.
Since the EPA will not grant relief, Congress should act quickly to end its destructive food-as-fuel folly.”