WASHINGTON, D.C. — Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor applauded 38 senators who today called on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to ensure that the EPA’s final targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2018 continue to drive innovation and investments in homegrown biofuels. The lawmakers offered their support for higher biofuel targets in a bipartisan letter authored by Senators Grassley, Klobuchar, Thune, Durbin, Ernst, and Franken.
“We commend our Senate champions for sending an unmistakable message to the EPA that the RFS plays a vital role in supporting America’s rural communities, protecting consumers, and promoting U.S. energy security. The law is clear, and it has been working effectively for over 12 years to offer drivers more choices and deliver cleaner, more affordable options at the pump.
“Now more than ever, this policy is poised to drive additional American innovation and rural investment, creating economic opportunities that President Trump has vowed to protect. We must stand strong against any regulatory back-pedaling that would threaten the continued deployment of American biofuels, including advanced and cellulosic biofuels. These innovations are revolutionizing how we protect the environment and are generating promising new revenue streams for agricultural communities struggling with declining incomes.
“Despite the RFS’s clear track record of success, recent actions from the EPA have raised serious concerns that the agency has lost sight of the goals set by Congress and championed by the president. These actions threaten to freeze investments across rural America, and our leaders in Washington must act quickly to ensure that homegrown ethanol and renewable fuels can continue to deliver the benefits promised by the RFS.”