Twenty-four bipartisan senators have signed a letter to President Trump urging him to uphold the Renewable Fuel Standard and reject the oil industry’s efforts to waive blending obligations.
Two of the signees are Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters.
The letter debunks false claims that complying with the RFS will negatively impact refiners. According to the law, the EPA can issue waivers if there is a demonstration of “severe harm” to the economy of a state, region or U.S. that’s caused by the RFS.
Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association, the National Biodiesel Board and other organizations are backing the letter.
The letter outlines three reasons why waiver requests should be rejected, including “challenging market conditions in the oil sector are the direct result of oversupply from international competitors combined with falling gasoline, diesel and jet fuel demand as a result of the COVID-19, not the RFS.”
“We applaud these senators for fighting to protect the livelihood of American farmers and the 350,000 jobs supported by the U.S. ethanol industry,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We join these leaders in asking the administration to stand up for the Renewable Fuel Standard, which has promoted energy diversity, strengthened the heartland’s economy, reduced emissions, and lowered consumer fuel costs for a decade and a half. These senators recognize that recent waiver requests are nothing more than a shameless attempt by oil refiners to seize on a global public health crisis to advance their long-standing political agenda. Now is not the time to abandon this vital policy, especially when so many jobs are on the line in the midst of an unprecedented economic crisis. We are truly grateful that these senators understand that.”
