Lawmakers: EPA RFS Announcement Too Little, Too Late

Statement

Following the Environmental Protection Agency's long-awaited release of proposed volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for the years 2014, 2015, and 2016, Representatives Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Steve Womack (R-AR), and Jim Costa (D-CA) released the following statement:

"EPA's 18-month delay in issuing these volume requirements, and the uncertainty this policy has created in the marketplace, makes it even clearer that the RFS is unworkable and in need of reform. While EPA's proposed reductions acknowledge the underlying issues with the ethanol mandate, unfortunately the numbers released today remain problematic, failing to take into account current market realities, the impending blendwall, and the harm the RFS is causing.

"Every day we delay reforming this misguided policy is a day that consumers, small businesses and retailers, the agriculture community, and the environment continue to suffer. A growing majority in Congress has recognized the "real-world limitations' of this bungled policy. The RFS Reform Act is a solution to the problems created by the ethanol mandate, and would finally provide much-needed, long term relief for those impacted by the failures of this policy."