Low Carbon Fuel Standard

Low Carbon Fuel Standard. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

The proposed low carbon fuel standard while on the surface is a good thing but could have a very detrimental effect. Ranie Haas, Director of Regulatory & Industry Affairs, Washington State Tree Fruit Association.

HAAS: The tree fruit industry is relying on trucks to move the fruit from the orchards to storage and then eventually to the packing houses and trucks are the main mode of the transportation from packing houses to our customers. There have been some studies that have show that this proposals going to be increasing the price of fuel by a dollar or more per gallon.

Haas says the proposal would increase production costs for fuel.

HAAS: It’s going to end up burdening us with expenses that our competitors aren’t subject to. That burden can’t be passed on to consumers. So while we think that decreasing the carbon pollution is a fine goal the state should explore ways that aren’t going to be causing our industry to become less competitive in the market.

This would not only increase costs for farmers and tree fruit producers but for everyone and fuel costs are already very volatile. She has some recommendations.

HAAS: What people need to do is become educated on it and don’t let it get away from us. We need to keep informed about it and unfortunately if somebody is not on the Department of Ecology’s website or something like that they’re not not informed about this.

She says to check their website and talk to your state legislators.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.