"Even though the EPA proposal purports to address long-term and lingering concerns about hitting the ethanol "˜blend wall,' which would increase fuel and gasoline prices, it does nothing to alleviate the economic distortions the corn ethanol mandate has inflicted on commodity and food costs paid by America's small businesses and consumers. The EPA, in effect, is hamstrung by current law.

"The Renewable Fuel Standard has wrought havoc on food retailers, restaurants, franchisees and operators, as well as food producers, and suppliers. However, the ultimate losers are consumers. Study after study has shown that the corn ethanol mandate has artificially driven up commodity costs by billions of dollars annually, and with it, consumer prices.

"[The] proposal by the EPA reaffirms our steadfast belief that Congress needs to repeal the RFS mandate once and for all. The time has come to end the federal government's failed experiment with the RFS and the corn ethanol mandate."

Source: National Council of Chain Restaurants