RFS Specifies Increasing Amounts of Renewable Fuels to be Added to Nation’s Gasoline and Diesel Supply – Committee Seeks Update on Implementation
The Subcommittee on Energy and Power, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, June 22, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “The Renewable Fuel Standard – Implementation Issues.”
The subcommittee will examine the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program and receive an update on the status and implementation of the program. The RFS specifies increasing amounts of renewable fuels to be added to the nation’s gasoline and diesel fuel supply each year through 2022, but it provides EPA with some authority to lower the annual volumes as circumstances warrant. For 2016, EPA reduced the statutorily required gallons in order to minimize blendwall-related issues but the 2017 targets go beyond the blendwall. After 2022, EPA has wide discretion to set the RFS targets, raising concerns about the long-term direction of the program.
“Next week’s hearing will present us an opportunity to receive an update on the program and provide us a much needed implementation status update,” said Chairman Whitfield. “For the sake of consumers, corn and soybean growers, ethanol and biodiesel producers, refiners and gas station owners, and equipment makers, we must also ensure that the program strikes the right balance.”
The Majority Memorandum, a witness list, and witness testimony will be available here as they are posted.
