The Environmental Protection Agency taking the next step to strengthen the Renewable Fuel Standard program for 2023-2025. The RFS requires annual volumes of renewable fuels, including ethanol, to be used in the fuel supply to reduce emissions, improve energy security and lower costs.
The effort is getting praise from U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.
“Stronger RFS standards not only support Wisconsin corn growers and biofuel producers, but also generate savings at the pump for working families, lower carbon emissions, and increase our energy security,” Baldwin says. “I’ve been a proud advocate for Wisconsin’s strong biofuels industry and look forward to continuing this work with the Administration to provide certainty for our farmers and our Made In Wisconsin renewable fuels economy.”
According to Baldwin’s office, the EPA’s multi-part proposal includes steady growth of biofuels for use in the nation’s fuel supply for 2023, 2024, and 2025. Because the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 does not include volumes after 2022, this is the first time that EPA is setting these proposed biofuel volume targets without using those outlined in statute.
This proposed rule would increase U.S. energy security by reducing U.S. reliance on oil imports by roughly 160,000 to 180,000 barrels of oil per year over the time frame of the proposed rule, 2023 to 2025. The anticipated value of the energy security benefits over the time frame of the proposed rule ranges from $200-$223 million per year.
See more info on the proposal: https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/proposed-renewable-fuel-standards-2023-2024-and-2025
Baldwin is also a co-sponsor of the bipartisan, bicameral Defend the Blend Act, which would prohibit the EPA from retroactively reducing RVO levels once the annual rule is finalized.
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