Dem lawmaker Welch rides anti-ethanol bike

Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) took to Washington’s streets on Thursday to push for the reform of a government biofuel program.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renewable Fuel Standard increases the price of corn, Welch says, which has impacts on food and energy prices across the country.  

On Thursday, he posted a picture of himself on Twitter riding a pedal-powered vehicle with a large sign calling for the program’s reform. 

What do you think of my new ride? #RFS pic.twitter.com/rZHgHFJQ5z

— Rep. Peter Welch (@PeterWelch) December 5, 2013

{mosads}“Fix the RFS and protect our fuel! Tell the EPA to reduce ethanol mandates,” the sign said. It included a link to Energy Citizens, an advocacy group funded by the American Petroleum Institute.

The fuel standard calls for refiners to mix specific amounts of biofuel like ethanol in with conventional gasoline.

Welch helped write the Renewable Fuel Standard Reform Act, which would reduce the total size of the program and eliminate the requirement for corn-based ethanol.

On Thursday, he testified in favor of reform at a Washington hearing on the fuel standard.

The ethanol industry was dealt a blow with the EPA’s proposed 2014 standards, which include scaled-back requirements for ethanol.