WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement in response to standards proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would govern tailpipe emissions for light-duty vehicles starting with the 2027 model year:
“Based on early reporting, EPA’s proposed standards show a lack of imagination and ignore the reality that even by the most aggressive estimates, internal combustion engines will still occupy more than half of the light-duty vehicle marketplace by 2040. This proposal would constrict innovation and risk leaving millions of tons of carbon reductions on the table—setting us on a path towards eliminating any role for proven, emissions-reducing biofuel blends precisely when we should be embracing a strategy that supports multiple low carbon options.
“In President Biden’s own words, ‘you simply can’t get to net-zero by 2050 without biofuels.’ By disregarding the contributions of low-carbon biofuels, the proposal puts a thumb on the scale for one technology at the expense of others, rather than giving automakers the flexibility to pursue innovative strategies for decarbonizing light-duty vehicles.
“In order for the U.S. to meet its climate goals from the transportation sector, low carbon biofuels must be part of any strategy to drive emissions reductions. The proposed standards should drive the adoption of the greatest possible range of technologies and fuels—particularly those that support hundreds of thousands of American jobs.
“Biofuels are a mainstay of any climate strategy looking to attain net-zero emissions by 2050. No other solution offers the same immediate climate benefits while also reducing emissions of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other smog-forming pollutants linked to cancer and other negative health outcomes. Lower-carbon biofuels will be vital to decarbonizing transportation for decades to come, and it’s a mistake for EPA to ignore their track record of success and their unmatched ability to lower emissions right now, as well as in the coming decades.”