Lawmakers react to EPA’s proposed Renewable Fuel Standards rule

Lawmakers voiced concerns on Wednesday with the EPA’s proposed Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) for 2017, which specify levels of renewable fuels that must be added to gasoline and diesel fuel.

Under the EPA’s proposed rule, 18.8 billion gallons of renewable fuels would have to be blended into the fuel supply by 2017. Biofuel volumes would also be increased across every fuel category.

“The energy sector has evolved in ways that were not predicted when the RFS was last revised in 2007,” U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said. “We will continue our ongoing oversight of the RFS and EPA’s proposed rule in the months ahead.” 

U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said that it was time to look at how the RFS program could be updated and extended to reflect the evolving energy landscape.

“I’m eager for that debate and I look forward to further reviewing EPA’s proposed requirements for 2017,” Shimkus added.

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) said that she was “disappointed” with the pEPA’s decision to lower volume requirements for conventional biofuels despite clear direction from Congress.

“The RFS is about encouraging investment and research in renewable fuels, providing consumers with choices at the pump, and reducing our dependence on foreign oil,” Ernst said. “Yet these volume levels will only discourage investment in next generation biofuels, and hurt an already struggling agricultural economy in Iowa and across the nation.”

Ernst said that by reducing congressionally mandated levels for conventional biofuels, the EPA has signaled that it is “willing to break promises made by Congress to farmers and renewable energy producers.”

U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), the chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, called the EPA’s proposed rule “more of the same” and would set biofuel requirements that are not achievable in the energy market.

“While the EPA claims the proposed rule will benefit the environment, data shows that the Renewable Fuel Standard has increased costs for American consumers and increased emissions,” Smith said. “More unrealistic mandates won’t lead to innovation in biofuels technology. It’s time for the Obama administration to work with Congress to reform this mandate.”

U.S. Rep. David Young (R-IA) said that the EPA had “again failed to meet the requirements set by Congress” and that the proposed rule would stifle economic growth in rural communities.

“This is another example of Washington bureaucrats overstepping their constitutional role, and Iowans deserve better,” Young said. “I am committed to supporting a strong RFS to empower our farmers, producers and the 43,000 Iowans working in support of the biofuels economy.”