Press Releases

Reps. Steve Womack (AR-3), Bob Goodlatte (VA-6), Jim Costa (CA-16), and Peter Welch (VT-AL) sent a letter today to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy urging her to consider a fair and meaningful adjustment to the ethanol mandate in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  In total, 169 bipartisan Members of Congress signed the letter:

Rep. Steve Womack (AR-3): “The RFS is unrealistic, and the EPA knows it.  It is time for the agency to exercise its authority and provide immediate and much-needed relief to American consumers and our economy by adjusting the RFS.”

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA-6): “Whether it’s increasing amounts of ethanol in fuel or higher food and feed prices, the RFS continues to negatively impact American consumers and the economy.  The demands of the current RFS are unrealistic and are causing great uncertainty.  As the blendwall approaches, it is clear that this flawed policy is not working.  The growing support from Members of Congress from across the nation and a diverse coalition of outside groups makes it clear that we must consider real legislative reforms to this mandate.  In the meantime, I urge Administrator McCarthy to take immediate action to provide much needed relief from the RFS.” 

Rep. Peter Welch (VT-AL): “While well-intentioned, the federal ethanol mandate is inflicting significant economic harm on families by driving up food prices, on dairy farmers by driving up feed prices, and on homeowners and outdoorsmen by ruining small engines.  Administrator McCarthy has at her fingertips the authority to push the pause button so that Congress can reevaluate this misguided policy before more harm is done.  She should do so immediately.”

Full text of the letter can be found here.

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