WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a major victory to protect the health of people and wildlife, the U.S. Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee announced today that it would not hold a vote on a controversial bill to weaken Clean Air Act protections and open the door for increased corn ethanol production. The bill, S. 517, the so-called Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, would have abolished limits on the sale of higher-ethanol gasoline in the summer that were put in place to protect public health by preventing smog pollution.

Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, said:

“This is a major victory for our public health, wildlife, and clean water—and sets the stage for Congress to roll up its sleeves to tackle reforming the corn ethanol mandate. Increasing corn ethanol production and usage would have been a disaster for America’s natural resources and economy, which is why an unprecedented coalition of conservation groups, businesses, industries, unions, and recreation groups came together to tell the U.S. Senate, ‘enough is enough.’ By doing so, we succeeded in beating back the efforts of special interests to get yet another sweetheart deal at the expense of hardworking Americans and the wildlife they cherish. The message from the American people could not be clearer: The status quo is not working, and it’s time for Republicans and Democrats to come together to reform the corn ethanol mandate (Renewable Fuel Standard) and advance next-generation clean fuels the right way – by putting in place common-sense solutions that work for family famers, protect our clean water, wildlife, and public health, and strengthen our economy.”