Washington, D.C. – Americans for Energy Security and Innovation (AESI) Co-Chairs Jim Talent and Rick Santorum urged continued progress on homegrown biofuels following the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for 2018.
“President Trump has been a vocal advocate for homegrown biofuels, and the proposed targets for conventional biofuels reflect that commitment. As officials work to finalize this rule, the EPA could do more to protect U.S. energy security by ensuring that our drive for innovation in cellulosic fuels promotes continued investment in rural communities. Meeting the goals for energy security outlined by Congress in the Renewable Fuel Standard will support American strength, a robust manufacturing sector, and renewed job creation across the heartland.
“American biofuels already support hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs and provide a vital shield against price manipulation by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia. Last year alone, biofuels displaced 510 million barrels of oil, helping to limit rising U.S. crude oil imports from nations like Iraq and Nigeria. With motor fuel consumption at an all-time high, promoting investment in homegrown energy is more important than ever.
“The RFS is clearly working, exactly as intended. American ethanol producers began 2017 at record-breaking production levels, and growth under the RFS has helped America become the world’s top ethanol exporter. With a strong RFS, our energy dominance is only expected to grow.
“At the same time, only 0.2 percent of ethanol consumed in the U.S. comes from foreign sources, and 99.7 percent of that is imported into just L.A. and San Francisco, likely due to state regulations. The RFS, on the other hand, drives investment here at home, where advanced biofuels now in production supply a growing revenue stream to rural communities, while turning cobs, stalks and other agricultural leftovers into high-value energy.
“In addition to maintaining the EPA’s commitment to conventional biofuels, we urge regulators to keep America at the forefront of innovation by setting more aggressive targets for advanced biofuels.”
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Americans for Energy Security and Innovation (AESI) is a 501(c)(4) dedicated to supporting the renewable fuel industry and maintaining a strong Renewable Fuel Standard. For more information, please visit us on www.usaenergy.org, follow us on Twitter and join us on Facebook.