Bipartisan Policy Center launches suggestions on reforming RFS

In Washington, in order to support constructive dialogue in this ongoing debate, the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Energy Project convened an advisory group of diverse stakeholders who agreed to discuss legislative and/or regulatory reforms that could put the RFS on a stable footing. The advisory group met three times over the course of 2014, and their discussions, deliberations, agreements, and disagreements informed the creation of 40 policy options to improve the RFS. Although these options do not represent the consensus of the advisory group, they are intended as a first step in exploring the ways in which constructive reforms could create a more robust and effective RFS program.

Given the complexity of the RFS, the inventory was designed to address biofuels challenges at multiple scales, across many topical areas, through multiple mechanisms, and over varying periods of time. Therefore, no one policy option contained in the inventory will serve as a single solution to all of the challenges of the RFS; options must be combined—and considered in tandem—if they are to meet one or more desired objectives. In addition, some options may contradict others, and so policy priorities and goals must be considered when advocating for any particular package of options.