Loebsack, Biofuels Caucus: Without Significant Changes, RFS will be Further Hamstrung

Statement

Congressman Dave Loebsack, along with 16 members of the bipartisan Biofuels Caucus, today called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make significant changes to the proposed renewable fuels volume obligations (RVOs) for the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The group called on the EPA to use criteria for determining domestic biofuel volumes that are found in statute and follow Congress's intent. Loebsack, a co-chair of the Biofuels Caucus, has helped lead the fight to ensure the RFS is strong and highlight its importance to Iowa.

"It would be a thumb in the eye to Iowa's farmers if the EPA continues to ignore federal statute and sides with Big Oil over rural communities," said Loebsack. "EPA's low blending volumes do not help to advance an industry that was created to become a fuel source of the future. In fact, if the EPA does not act as Congress has intended, it will further harm the advances the homegrown fuels industry has already made. Significant changes to the proposed rule must be made in order to for biofuels to continue creating American jobs, supporting agricultural communities, saving taxpayers hard-earned dollars and reducing dependence on overseas oil."

Source