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Sensenbrenner Blasts EPA's Proposal to Raise RFS Mandates
USAgNet - 05/26/2016

A Wisconsin congressman is continuing to express his opposition toward proposed mandates that would require more ethanol be blended into retail gasoline. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner said the Environmental Protection Agency's recent proposal to increase the renewable fuel standard for ethanol volume obligations to nearly 19 billion gallons by next year is not in the best interest of consumers.

"Proposing that nearly 19 billion gallons of ethanol be incorporated into the fuel supply is another example of excessive EPA bureaucratic over-reach," Sensenbrenner said in a statement, adding that such a mandate would be 'harmful to American consumers and robs them of their freedom to choose.'

The Brookfield Republican claims that environmentally, the higher RFS does 'more harm than good,' and would lead to misfueling, damaged engines, voided warranties, and increased emissions.

"The EPA should not be in the business of limiting choices or picking winners and losers when it comes to ethanol," he noted.

As part of the proposed mandate, total renewable fuel volumes would grow by nearly 700 million gallons between 2016 and 2017. Advanced renewable fuel, which requires 50 percent lifecycle carbon emissions reductions, would grow by nearly 400 million gallons. And cellulosic biofuel, which requires 60 percent lifecycle carbon emissions reductions, would grow by 82 million gallons, or 35 percent.

The EPA will hold a public hearing on its proposal on June 9 in Kansas City, with a period for public input and comment being open until July 11.

Last year, Sensenbrenner sponsored a bill that would revoke current approval of E15 gasoline and require additional testing of midlevel ethanol blends like E10. Back in 2012, the Congressman introduced similar legislation to limit the EPA's ability to mandate that refiners blend more cellulosic biofuel than is actually available.

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