Environmental groups file petition with EPA accusing it of illegally allowing wildlife habitat conversion for biofuels

In Washington, following on the heels of an Environmental Protection Agency report to Congress documenting wide-spread habitat loss following enactment of U.S. biofuels policy in 2007, environmental and conservation groups filed a petition with EPA, asserting the agency has illegally allowed millions of acres of wildlife habitat to be converted to corn and soybean crops to satiate federal biofuels policy under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

The petition to EPA follows the release of a new international report urging nations to act with urgency to curb climate change. Ensuring that current U.S. biofuels policy supports—rather than hinders—the adoption of truly clean, sustainable fuels is essential in helping confront climate change.

The petition was drafted by Earthjustice, with Clean Air Task Force as co-counsel, on behalf of the National Wildlife Federation, ActionAid USA, American Bird Conservancy, Association of Northwest Steelheaders, Conservation Northwest, Hoosier Environmental Council, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Mighty Earth, Sierra Club, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Wild Idea Buffalo.