Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized increases in renewable fuel volume requirements across all categories of biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program
Klobuchar has been a national leader in advocating for the expansion of renewable fuels; Earlier this year, Klobuchar led bipartisan efforts urging the EPA to release a strong RFS that will support U.S. jobs and the economy, reduce the environmental impact of our transportation and energy sectors, and decrease dependence on foreign oil
WASHINGTON, DC – Following efforts from U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and other agriculture state representatives, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2017 and biomass diesel volume for 2018. Today, the EPA finalized increases in renewable fuel volume requirements across all categories of biofuels under the RFS program.
“During a tough time in farming, we couldn't have better Thanksgiving news for our corn and soybean farmers and the thousands of people who work in biofuels in Minnesota,” Klobuchar said. “Renewable fuels have become a homegrown economic generator for our country. This strong rule is a step forward in decreasing our dependence on foreign oil and increasing our investments in clean energy. It creates much-needed consistency moving forward.”
In the rule, the renewable volume obligation for “conventional” renewable fuel - like corn ethanol - has been increased to 15 billion gallons, which meets congressional intent. The required volume of biomass-based diesel for 2017 has been increased by 100 million gallons to 2.1 billion gallons, twice as high as the minimum congressional target. The advanced biofuel standard – which is comprised of biomass-based diesel, cellulosic biofuel, and other biofuel that achieves at least 50 percent lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions – increases by 19 percent over the 2016 standard.
Klobuchar has been a national leader in advocating for the expansion of renewable fuels. Last October, Klobuchar convened a meeting in her office between 13 of her colleagues and White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough to push for the release of a strong final RFS rule that supports homegrown ethanol production. After a very disappointing proposed RFS rule was put forth last year, Klobuchar led bipartisan efforts to improve the final rule. Klobuchar worked with Secretary Vilsack and pushed EPA officials to release a strong RFS that will support U.S. jobs and the economy, reduce the environmental impact of our transportation and energy sectors, and decrease dependence on foreign oil. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and 2014 farm bill conferee, Klobuchar supported authorization of biofuels programs, and last year advocated for the Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) with USDA on the State of Minnesota’s behalf.
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