November 30, 2018

Talent & Santorum: Protect Biofuel Targets from Waivers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a joint statement, Americans for Energy Security and Innovation (AESI) Co-Chairs Jim Talent and Rick Santorum urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject attempts to undermine President Trump’s biofuel goals under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In a final rule issued today, the EPA set 2019 blending targets for homegrown energy, providing modest growth in advanced biofuels and holding conventional ethanol steady at 15 billion gallons. But the Agency failed to address concerns about refinery waiversthat have cut demand for American-made biofuels.

“Today’s targets represent a modest step forward for U.S. energy security, but that promise will be short-lived unless the EPA puts a lid on abusive waiver practices. Dozens of handouts to well-connected refiners have already destroyed demand for more than two billion gallons of American-made biofuel. We’re seeing the impact in rural communities, where ethanol plants have idled production and farmers are struggling to find a competitive market for their grain.

“The EPA must uphold President’s commitment to rural prosperity by ensuring that American biofuels actually reach the fuel pump, where they can protect consumers from manipulation in the global oil market. Saudi Arabia and its allies in Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) continue to use the threat of higher fuel pricesas leverage against U.S. interests, but no other nation can set the price for American ethanol.

“President Trump understands that homegrown biofuels are working to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil, while delivering real economic and environmental benefits. That’s why he’s vowed to lift outdated regulations that prevent most retailers from offering cleaner, lower-cost fuel options like E15 during the summer.

“Now it’s up to the EPA to quickly put that promise into action, expand growth opportunities for U.S. farmers, and hold down prices at the fuel pump.”

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