Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, Colleagues Release Statement on Recent EPA Biofuels Decision
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) joined Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02), David Scott (GA-13) and Cindy Axne (IA-03) in a statement responding to the Biden Administration’s recent decision to rescind 31 oil refineries’ previously-granted waivers from biofuel blending requirements.
In the statement, the Members applauded the Administration’s denial of Small Refinery Exemptions as a step in the right direction, while noting their disappointment that the facilities wouldn’t be required to purchase compliance credits or blend biofuels to fulfill their 2018 obligations.
Cheri Bustos
“Last Thursday’s EPA announcement was another step in the right direction for the future of biofuels. In denying 36 Trump-era Small Refinery Exemptions, the Biden Administration sent a strong signal that the Renewable Fuel Standard will no longer be undermined. We would have liked to see stronger compliance requirements paired with these denials, but we understand that the current global energy situation is complex.
“We must reiterate that given the fast-approaching June 1st deadline that would prohibit our constituents from accessing lower-cost, cleaner-burning E15, the single most important thing that the EPA can do right now to bring down the cost of fuel for hardworking Americans and support our family farmers is to issue an emergency waiver allowing the summer sales of E15. Without immediate action, the average price of fuel will rise across our districts, and important markets for family farmers will be permanently disrupted.”
The Members also called upon the Biden Administration to take immediate action to allow summer sales of E15 – which they argued would help to lower the average price of fuel for hardworking Americans and strengthen American energy independence. The Members stated that this would be the single most impactful action that the Administration could take to bring relief at the pump and support family farmers ahead of a looming June 1st deadline, after which constituents across the country will lose access to lower-cost, cleaner-burning E15.
In Congress, Bustos has long worked to ensure year-round availability of E15 – and has prioritized nationwide investments in renewable biofuels that help support economic growth in rural communities. Late last month, Bustos joined nearly thirty bipartisan Members of Congress in a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to prioritize homegrown, renewable biofuels as a replacement for Russian energy sources – which also called for an emergency waiver to allow summer sales of E15. Bustos also introduced the Home Front Energy Independence Act, which would expand the production and availability of American biofuels in an effort to lower energy costs for working families and support economic growth in rural communities.
