WASHINGTON, D.C. – Diverse groups are asking Congress to significantly reduce the U.S. corn ethanol mandate, E&E reports. The coalition also wants such cuts to be made permanent. The Renewable Fuel Standard states that refiners have to blend 13.8 billion gallons of conventional ethanol into gasoline in 2013, a number that goes up to 14.4 billion gallons in 2014, which would constitute just over 10% of the U.S. gasoline supply.

Anti-poverty, environmental, livestock, small-equipment manufacturers and fiscal organizations have banded together to ask members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to consider their requests as the committee works on reforming the RFS. The coalition’s concern was that the RFS hurts consumers, small engines and food producers.

“The mandate on corn-based ethanol in particular has had a devastating effect on the entire food economy from livestock and poultry producers facing record feed costs, to food retailers facing record food costs, to consumers here and abroad struggling to balance food budgets in tough economic times,” said the 44 groups in a letter to the committee.

The House committee is working on reform legislation after having a series of hearings, in which NACS member Joe Petrowski of The Cumberland Gulf Group provided testimony on behalf of the association.