Governor Sam Brownback says Kansas could benefit from an Environmental Protection Agency decision that says grain sorghum ethanol qualifies as a renewable fuel under federal standards.
Kansas grows more of the grain than any other state. Brownback noted in a news release 60 percent of Kansas-produced ethanol comes from sorghum. The Renewable Fuels Standard program requires the U.S. to produce 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel by 2022, with an increasing requirement for renewable fuels from non-corn sources.
Brownback says the EPA's decision opens the door to Kansas sorghum growers to help meet conventional biofuel and advanced biofuel mandates under the RFS.
Sorghum thrives in hot, dry conditions and is primarily used in Kansas as feed for livestock.