Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s hearing remarks.

WASHINGTON, DC –Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) called for the repeal of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) at a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on domestic renewable fuels. Barrasso introduced the bipartisan Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act (S. 1195) last June with Senators Mark Pryor (D-AR), Pat Toomey (R-PA) and 16 others.

Excerpts of Senator Barrasso’s Opening Statement:

“In my view, this hearing is long overdue.

“The Renewable Fuel Standard or the RFS is among the most short-sighted energy policies that Congress has ever enacted.

“The RFS has left a wake of economic and environmental harm that must be put to an end.

“It has increased food prices for American families. It has increased fuel prices for American motorists. It has contributed to a dirtier environment.

“And—now—the RFS threatens to cause widespread damage to engines, to fuel systems,
and to our transportation fuel infrastructure.

“In June, I—along with Senators Pryor and Toomey—introduced S. 1195, the Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act.

“This is a bipartisan bill and it would repeal the RFS in its entirety.

“I’m also pleased that a diverse coalition of stakeholders supports this bill, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Chicken Council, the National Turkey Federation, and the American Sheep Industry Association.

“I’d also note that the editorial boards of USA Today, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal have all called for the repeal of this mandate.

“The debate over the RFS is not a debate between the oil industry and environmentalists.

“It’s a debate between those who recognize that the RFS is fundamentally broken and those who don’t.

“Environmental organizations, such as the Environmental Working Group—which is represented here today—recognize that the RFS is broken.
“Global hunger organizations, such as Oxfam and Action Aid, also recognize the RFS is broken. Even the EPA recognizes the status quo cannot continue. 

“Last month, EPA took a small, but historic step.

“EPA proposed reducing the total volume of biofuels that suppliers must make available
under the RFS.
“The EPA has proposed this reduction to address issues surrounding the so-called ‘blend wall.’

“The ‘blend wall’ is the amount of ethanol that can be safely added to the nation’s fuel supply.

“I applaud EPA for taking this step, and encourage the agency to make further
reductions in its final rule.

“But make no mistake, the EPA cannot fix the Renewable Fuel Standards.

“Congress must weigh in—and repeal this broken program once and for all.

“We must repeal the mandate that diverts corn away from kitchen tables and into gas tanks.

“This mandate has not only increased food costs for American families, but has increased food costs for the world’s poor.

“This is why the Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization called on EPA to suspend the RFS last year.

“In addition, we must repeal the mandate for biofuels that are not commercially available.

“For years, we have heard that the RFS would result in large-scale production of ‘advanced biofuels’

“But this has not happened.

“And I’m sorry that we are limited because I wanted to quote Democrat Senator Chuck Schumer on his concerns about this as well. So with that I would like to put into the record, my full statement including the comments by Senator Schumer.”

Background:

The Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act (S. 1195) was introduced on June 20, 2013. In addition to Senators Barrasso, Pryor and Toomey, (S. 1195) is co-sponsored by Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), John Boozman (R-AR), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Dean Heller (R-NV), James Inhofe (R-OK), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Mike Lee (R-UT), John McCain (R-AZ), Jim Risch (R-ID) and Tim Scott (R-SC).

S. 1195 is also endorsed by: The American Bakers Association, the American Frozen Food Institute, the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, the American Highway Users Alliance, the American Petroleum Institute, Americans for Prosperity, the American Sheep Industry Association, the National Boating Federation, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Chicken Council, the National Council of Chain Restaurants, National Marine Manufacturers Association, the National Turkey Federation, the National Taxpayers Union, and the Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association.

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