Washington, D.C. - Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rule, which sets renewable fuel volumes for 2017.
Chairman Smith: “The EPA’s proposed rule is more of the same and sets biofuels requirements that are not achievable in today’s 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. 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.”
The proposed rule requires 18.8 billion gallons of renewable fuels be blended into the fuel supply by 2017, an increase from the EPA’s 2016 rule but less than the target required in current law. The proposed rule increases biofuel volumes in every category, despite evidence that the U.S. is not currently on track to meet 2016 targets.
The Science Committee has held two hearings on the RFS in the 114th Congress. Witnesses testified that the RFS increases both fuel costs and emissions.