May, 07 2009, 01:06pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Nick Berning, 202-222-0748
Kate McMahon, 202-222-0715
Biofuels Slated to Receive More than $400 Billion in Federal Subsidies
New report from Friends of the Earth documents how biofuels industry gains at taxpayers’ and environment’s expense
WASHINGTON
Friends of the Earth released a report today that examines the
extent to which the biofuels industry is subsidized by federal tax
credits and a federal renewable fuels mandate. The report finds that
between 2008 and 2022, biofuels will receive more than $400 billion in
subsidies.
The report also shows that, rather than promoting the production of
less harmful biofuels, many of these subsidies are supporting the most
environmentally damaging ones, such as corn ethanol.
"The size of these subsidies is extraordinary, particularly given
how poorly we screen the environmental impacts produced by their
recipients. The subsidies are accelerating environmental damage," said
Doug Koplow of Earth Track, who authored the report. "There are far
better ways to spend this money."
"What we've found is that not only is the biofuels industry harming
the environment, but that the government is paying it to do so," said
Kate McMahon, biofuels campaigner at Friends of the Earth. "President
Obama released a $3.5 trillion budget proposal today. If he's looking
for a place to make some cuts, these giveaways to the biofuels industry
would be a great place to start."
The report can be viewed at https://www.foe.org/sites/default/files/FOE%20VEETC%20Evaluation%20FINAL.pdf.
A one-page document summarizing the report's findings can be found at: https://www.foe.org/sites/default/files/VEETC%201%20pager%20FINAL.pdf.
More information about Friends of the Earth's work to roll back environmentally harmful biofuels subsidies can be found at https://www.foe.org/biofuelssubsidies.
Friends of the Earth fights for a more healthy and just world. Together we speak truth to power and expose those who endanger the health of people and the planet for corporate profit. We organize to build long-term political power and campaign to change the rules of our economic and political systems that create injustice and destroy nature.
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