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Senators want EPA to maintain a strong RFS

A bipartisan group of 37 senators is calling on the EPA to maintain a strong Renewable Fuels Standard.

In a letter to EPA administrator Gina McCarthy, the senators urged the agency to reverse course from its 2014 proposed rule which would lower the biofuels volume requirements in the RFS.  The senators said such a reduction would “have serious implications for our economy and energy security” and that EPA should “craft targets for domestic biofuels that reflect Congress’ intended goals for the RFS”.

The EPA recently stated it will finalize the biofuels volumes for 2014, 2015, and 2016 by November 30, 2015, but it has not indicated what the volume levels will be.

Tom Buis, CEO of the ethanol advocacy group Growth Energy, commended the senators for their action.

“This letter is a clear message to the EPA that we must have a strong, a robust RFS to help move our nation forwards in terms of alternative energy development,” Buis said. “In no uncertain terms this strong bipartisan coalition of Senators have indicated that they are closely watching the EPA as they seek to finalize this rule and that any changes which would undercut the congressional intent or role of the RFS will be met with intense scrutiny and strong objection.”

Also praising the senators’ efforts was Brian Jennings, executive vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE).

“We are grateful for the strong bipartisan support conveyed by Senators that EPA must get the RFS back on track for implementation by reversing course from their ill-advised proposal which would have limited renewable fuel use at ten percent of gasoline consumption,” Jennings said.

ACE has a PDF copy of the senators’ letter on its website.  Click here to view the letter.