Congress Should Take Steps to Repeal RFS

WASHINGTON – Today, American Energy Alliance President Thomas Pyle issued the following statement on Rep. Bob Goodlatte’s bill to reform the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS):

“We are encouraged by Rep. Goodlatte’s effort to fully repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard. Not only is the RFS an ill-advised policy that raises food and fuel prices for American families, but the EPA has demonstrated they are incapable of administering the mandate by failing to set guidelines for both 2014 and 2015.

“Previous Congresses and the EPA have vastly overestimated the viability of advanced biofuels like cellulosic ethanol. Instead of dealing with the issue of cellulosic honestly, EPA is now fudging the numbers by redefining cellulosic ethanol to include fuel from compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas.

“While we applaud Rep. Goodlatte for calling for full repeal, we are leery of attempts to eliminate only the corn ethanol mandate portion. The ‘corn only’ approach is not a glide path to repeal. It does little to address the heart of the problem, which is higher fuel costs and the EPA’s gross mismanagement of the RFS program. Instead, Congress should take steps toward a full repeal of the RFS.

“Eliminating only the corn ethanol mandate also does nothing to fix the issue of higher food costs. As a World Resources Institute study shows, the crops used to make cellulosic ethanol will rely on the same fertile lands that food crops rely on. A true road to repeal would include ramping down all aspects of this failed program, not just corn ethanol.”

“The only option for protecting the American people from higher fuel and food costs and an improved environment is to work toward a full repeal of the RFS. Anything less perpetuates this expensive and misguided mandate.”

Click here for a coalition letter that explains AEA’s opposition on the RFS in greater detail.

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