WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced legislation to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
Under the RFS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the volumes of ethanol and biodiesel that are required to be blended into the U.S. transportation fuel supply. The EPA has overstepped its authority and has mismanaged the fuel standard, missing deadlines for the 2014 and 2015 RFS regulations.
The EPA’s mandates overestimate how much ethanol consumers will purchase and the fuel supply can handle, threatening jobs by driving up costs for producers, refiners, farmers and families. The EPA’s mandate has led to price increases on corn-based products and meat products produced using corn feed. The RFS also ignores market demand, causing thousands of barrels of ethanol to go to waste.
Dr. Cassidy previously called on Congress to reexamine the mandate, which has hurt Louisiana’s seafood industry, contributing to the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico and threatening manufacturing jobs.
Dr. Cassidy released the following statement:
“Workers, refiners, producers, farmers and ranchers across the country are affected by the Renewable Fuel Standard. More mandates mean less jobs. It means families are paying more for gas and groceries. American energy production is increasing and fuel efficient technologies are improving. Our workers need policies that help move our energy, farming and manufacturing industries forward—that starts by repealing the RFS.”
Repealing the mandate is supported by the American Energy Alliance, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, American Sportfishing Association, Milk Producers Council and National Council of Chain Restaurants, among others:
“While it’s taken thousands of pages to pass and enforce this costly and misguided law, it would take just two pages to undo it. The RFS is a broken policy that takes away consumer choice and saddles the American people with higher gas prices. AEA welcomes Sen. Cassidy’s call for full repeal of the RFS and we encourage other lawmakers to join this effort. Anything short of full repeal is a step in the wrong direction.” — Tom Pyle, President of American Energy Alliance (AEA)
“AFPM supports Senator Cassidy’s bill to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), as the only bill in the Senate that represents a complete solution to the failure that is the RFS. This bill is especially necessary in light of EPA’s recent proposal, which, by its own admission, looks to require more biofuels in the fuel supply than is safe for most vehicles and is more than consumers want.”– Chet Thompson, President of American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM)
“Louisiana’s fishing and boating traditions run deep. Neither of these activities could be fully enjoyed, or continue to benefit the state’s vibrant coastal communities and bountiful Gulf of Mexico’s waters, without policies ensuring safe fuels for marine engines. Sen. Cassidy’s leadership today in introducing a bill to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard demonstrates his awareness of how ethanol has imposed potentially disastrous consequences on consumers, such as anglers and boaters. The American Sportfishing Association applauds the senator’s actions to protect engines from high ethanol blends of gasoline and block the implementation of a policy that does more harm than good.” — Scott Gudes, Vice President of Government Affairs for American Sportfishing Association
“On behalf of the dairy families we represent, we greatly appreciate Senator Cassidy’s leadership in introducing this legislation to repeal the Renewable Fuels Standard. It’s time for government to get out of the business of mandating fuel security over food security (and in the end, achieving neither). We need a fresh look at the public’s role in promoting renewable energy, but as the old saying goes: When you find yourself in a hole, the first step is to stop digging. That’s what this bill is all about.” — Rob Vandenheuvel, General Manager of Milk Producers Council
“The National Council of Chain Restaurants and our broad membership of quick-service, fast casual and table service restaurants support the full repeal of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). As long as the mandate is law, it will continue to adversely affect America’s chain restaurants, their small business owners, operators and franchisees, and their customers.” — Rob Green, Executive Director of National Council of Chain Restaurants (NCCR)