The EPA announced Thursday that it won't roll back a rule requiring the addition of ethanol to regular gasoline, CNNMoney.com reports, striking down a claim that it was artificially increasing food prices. The governor of Texas had asked the EPA in April for a 50% waiver on the nation's Renewable Fuel Standard.

"The EPA's professional staff conducted a detailed analysis ... and found that the Renewable Fuel Standard mandate is not causing severe economic harm, but rather strengthening the nation's energy security and farm communities," EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson said on a conference call with the press. The decision to reject the waiver request was widely expected.

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