WASHINGTON, D.C. – Growth Energy thanked 13 senators, led by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and John Thune (R-S.D.), who sent a bipartisan letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calling for “robust and expanded” biofuel blending requirements in the forthcoming “Set” rule under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The lawmakers also urged the agency to extend year-round sales of E15, improve lifecycle emissions modeling, and swiftly approve advanced biofuel pathways.
“A stronger RFS means more savings at the pump for working families, lower carbon emissions, and greater U.S. energy security,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We’re grateful to Senators Durbin, Thune, and other clean energy champions working to deliver the regulatory certainty we need to fast-track growth in the U.S. bioeconomy and shield motorists from volatile global oil prices.
“This is a vital opportunity to drive transformative progress in low-carbon transportation, and we look forward to working with EPA Administrator Regan, the White House, and leaders on Capitol Hill to tap the full potential of the RFS as a climate and energy solution.”
View the full letter here.
Background
Under a consent decree agreement reached with Growth Energy, EPA will be required to formally propose the 2023 RFS biofuel requirements no later than November 16, 2022. The rulemaking – called the Set – promises to usher in a new era for the RFS, marking the first year a baseline for biofuel volumes is not specified by Congress but must be set based on statutory factors like fuel costs, environmental benefits, and commercial production. On August 8, 2022, Growth Energy outlined the biofuel sector’s top priorities for EPA’s fast-approaching update to the program.