BIO Supports State and Congressional Efforts to Reject Gratuitous Requests From Oil Industry
As we rebuild our economy, we must invest in more resilient technologies, cleaner fuels, and more sustainable manufacturing processes. This starts by supporting the farmers and sustainable fuel producers in rural America.
Washington, D.C. (May 8, 2020) – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today released the following statement in support of the Governors' Biofuels Coalition letter urging EPA to reject unjustifiable Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) waivers:
“We thank Governors Walz and Noem and the Governors' Biofuels Coalition for opposing this unjustified request,” said Stephanie Batchelor, Vice President of BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section. “Unfortunately, this gratuitous effort by the oil industry to use the economic pain Americans are facing to circumvent their long-standing obligations to increase the use of clean fuels is unsurprising given that they spent millions trying to fend off their obligations even before the pandemic. As we rebuild our economy, we must invest in more resilient technologies, cleaner fuels, and more sustainable manufacturing processes. This starts by supporting the farmers and sustainable fuel producers in rural America.”
In addition, BIO issued a statement in support of a bipartisan effort led by Senator's Tina Smith (D-MN), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to uphold the RFS and reject requests for RFS obligations to be waived.
“It’s incredibly devious of the oil industry and its champions to use the economic pain Americans are facing right now to circumvent their obligations to increase the use of clean fuels. If EPA were to grant this waiver it would only undermine efforts to improve air quality and public health at this critical time,” said Stephanie Batchelor, Vice President of BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section. “We applaud Senators Ernst and Smith for leading the opposition against this effort. We must build towards a resilient and cleaner future and that starts by promoting investment in low carbon fuels and supporting the farmers and sustainable fuel producers in rural America.”
Learn more about BIO's position on sustainable fuels policy:
- Sustainable Fuels Issue Brief
- Renewable Fuel Standard Issue Brief
- Sustainable Aviation Fuels Issue Brief
- Sustainable Sourcing: Decarbonizing Transportation Infographic
