Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has petitioned the EPA to suspend federal ethanol mandates due to an unprecedented drought impacting the South and Midwest. The mandates require 40% of US corn production to be used for ethanol, driving up feed costs for poultry farmers in Georgia by $1.4 million per day. Governor Deal argues this threatens the economic viability of livestock producers and filed the waiver request along with four other states. The EPA will collect public comments for 30 days before evaluating the petitions and reaching a decision within 90 days.