WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Energy and Power, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), today held a hearing examining implementation issues with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. The hearing brought together representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Energy Information Administration (EIA), as well as stakeholders in manufacturing, agriculture, and fuel production to discuss the current status and implementation outlook of the program.
The RFS specifies increasing amounts of renewable fuels to be added to the nation’s gasoline and diesel fuel supply each year through 2022. The discussion paid particular attention to the long-term direction of the program, as after 2022, EPA has wider discretion to set the RFS targets.
“It’s been nearly a decade since the RFS was last revised by Congress…and a lot has changed in the interim," said Chairman Whitfield. “Energy markets have evolved in ways that were not predicted back then, and RFS implementation has taken many unexpected turns."
“We all know that there are those who call for complete repeal of the RFS, and there are those who don’t want any changes at all, even modest ones," added Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). “But I can’t help but think that if we approach this issue in a bipartisan fashion, that we can find a path forward for an RFS that works for all the parties involved - farmers, renewable fuel producers, refiners, automakers, power equipment makers, and most of all consumers."
“As we move forward, we’re going to have to move toward compromise," echoed Environment and Economy Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL). “We will be better when we work together than when we work apart."
Related Items
* The Renewable Fuel Standard - Implementation Issues
