American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) President Charles T. Drevna issued the following statement on today’s House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements hearing titled “Up Against the Blend Wall: Examining EPA’s Role in the Renewable Fuel Standard”:
“Make-believe may be the cornerstone of Disney, but it should have no place in America’s energy policy. Unfortunately, the reality is that the majority of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is pure fantasy and the reason why repeal is the only long-term solution. Today’s hearing clearly illustrates that in the short-term, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) needs to take an honest look at the marketplace and the nation’s ability to consume the mandated volume of biofuels. Existing engine technologies, compatibility with fuel delivery infrastructure, and consumer impacts are real world circumstances that require EPA to reduce the 2013 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for all four renewable fuel categories to more realistic levels. If left unaddressed, this pernicious policy will continue to adversely impact consumers at the grocery store and at the pump, as well as threaten engines on everything from automobiles to boats and lawnmowers.
“Even if the proposed renewable fuels RVOs were attainable, which they are not, EPA acts in bad faith by continually missing the statutory deadline to set required levels for the following year. Refiners make a responsible effort to meet the imposed requirements of the RFS, however, six months into the year, EPA has still not announced 2013 renewable fuel RVOs and we are at a loss to explain how the agency can repeatedly ignore its statutory requirements.”
AFPM, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers is a trade association representing high-tech American manufacturers of virtually the entire U.S. supply of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, other fuels and home heating oil, as well as the petrochemicals used as building blocks for thousands of vital products in daily life. AFPM members make modern life possible and keep America moving and growing as they meet the needs of our nation and local communities, strengthen economic and national security, and support 2 million American jobs.
