WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Agriculture’s new moves on biofuels risk further damage to wildlife habitat, water quality, and climate despite addressing recent reduced ethanol consumption.

“On the one hand, EPA recognized the reality of lower fuel consumption during the pandemic and wisely proposed lower fuel mandates retroactively for 2020. But on the other, it quickly reversed course by proposing the highest levels ever for 2022 and paired this with a bailout and infrastructure funding for the ethanol industry from USDA,” said David DeGennaro, senior policy specialist for climate at the National Wildlife Federation. “While EPA couches its proposal in combatting climate change, the reality is that increased biofuel production — particularly the increase in biodiesel that would result from this proposal — will only worsen the climate while also impacting consumers through higher food and fuel costs.”