FarmProgress

By Jacqui Fatka

In response to the recent proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency to retroactively reduce the minimum volume of blended biofuel levels mandated under the Renewable Fuel Standard, a bipartisan bill from a group of senators would prevent EPA from reducing 2020 or future finalized renewable volume obligations.

The Defend the Blend Act is sponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and cosponsored by Sens. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Joni Ernts, D-Iowa. Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, Rodney Davis, R-Ill., Angie Craig, D-Minn., and Ron Kind, D-Wisc. The legislation would prohibit EPA from reducing the Renewable Volume Obligations once the annual rule is finalized.

Klobuchar explains farmers and rural communities are counting on Congress to uphold the integrity of the RFS. “This legislation will stop retroactive changes to Renewable Volume Obligations so the renewable fuels industry has the certainty and stability it needs to create jobs, drive investment and cut carbon emissions from the existing vehicle fleet.”

“Time and time again, renewable fuels have shown to be key in cutting both greenhouse gas emissions and costs at the pump. Yet, past and present administrations have overlooked the value of the RFS, creating uncertainty for Iowa farmers and producers,” explains Grassley. “With EPA’s most recent proposed action of lowering RVO numbers from 2020’s final rule, who’s to say that won’t happen again? It is critical that we establish new safeguards that uphold the RFS and ensure all administrations remain committed to following the law.”

“This bill comes at a critical time,” says Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Just last week, EPA proposed an unprecedented retroactive reduction to the 2020 renewable volume obligations that were finalized more than two years ago. The RFS was created to provide long-term market certainty for our nation’s ethanol producers and farmers. Going back in time to slash RFS volumes—long after they have been finalized—undermines the purpose and intent of the program and destabilizes the marketplace.”

Duckworth adds upholding the RFS “helps strengthen the Midwest and our entire nation by diversifying our fuel sources, bolstering our national security, cutting carbon emissions and driving economic opportunity in the heartland.”

Cooper notes that EPA’s proposal to revise the 2020 RVO to account for COVID-related market anomalies is “completely unnecessary,” as the annual RVO already includes a self-correcting mechanism that causes actual renewable fuel volume requirements to adjust lower with reduced gasoline and diesel consumption.

In addition, he points out that EPA itself is previously on record saying retroactive revisions to annual RVOs “would inappropriately render the standards a moving target” and “…would be inconsistent with the statutory text and would introduce an undesirable level of uncertainty for obligated parties.”

American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings adds in light of last week’s proposed retroactive cuts to the 2020 biofuel blending obligations, this bill makes clear that going back in time and revising targets that already self-adjusted “not only goes against Congressional intent but is likely illegal.” 

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