RICHARD Cortese, who farms in Texas, says the type of gasoline and diesel fuel cost increases described in a new report tabled in the US Congress this week on the impact of their proposed ETS will make it very difficult for him to continue on the farm.
He says the report indicates the ETS will hike the cost of fuel used for farming to the point that it will have 'a devastating economic impact on all similar family-owned businesses'.
The report, released to the US House of Representatives by Senators Kit Bond, R-Mo, and Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, is the first on the likely impact of fuel costs on farming.
It says the outlook is for $550 million in higher fuel costs in 2020 and $1.65 billion in 2050.
"I use diesel fuel for tillage, planting, harvesting and spraying and I use gasoline for service vehicles for checking livestock, utility vehicles and small engines," Cortese said.
"Having a reliable and affordable supply of gasoline and diesel fuel is very important for my operation to continue to make a living for me and my family."
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