Groups Ask Congressional Leaders to Stay the Course on the RFS

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A coalition of biofuel trade organizations today sent a letter to House and Senate leaders urging them “to stay the course on the RFS, which is the cornerstone of our efforts to reduce foreign oil dependence and create jobs and economic growth across America, and to tell EPA that a waiver of RFS requirements is neither desirable nor warranted.”

“to stay the course on the RFS, which is the cornerstone of our efforts to reduce foreign oil dependence and create jobs and economic growth across America, and to tell EPA that a waiver of RFS requirements is neither desirable nor warranted.”

The trade organizations also wrote:

“We understand that the Congress will be reviewing a range of options for providing relief to those impacted by the drought. With this deliberation in mind, we are writing to caution against any legislative changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard policy, and ask your support in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) not to grant any waiver of RFS requirements.

“A number of groups and some governors have asserted that the RFS is a substantial part of the equation when it comes to grain prices, and they believe waiving the program this year or next will ease the impact of the drought on consumers. There is substantial evidence to the contrary.”

The letter also provided evidence to demonstrate that:

• Waiving the RFS will have a minimal impact on grain prices;
• Weakening the U.S. commitment to renewable fuels will increase gas prices;
• Altering or waiving the RFS will chill investment in advanced biofuels;
• Waiving the RFS will destabilize a cornerstone of the U.S. economic recovery.