86% of U.S. Voters Agree ‘Shifting Renewable Fuel Compliance Would Harm Consumers”

December 18, 2016 |

In Washington, a survey released by the national trade association representing truckstops and travel plazas, the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America, and the National Association of Convenience Stores found that majority of American voters believe that shifting the point of obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standar from refiners to wholesalers and fuel retailers “would harm the economy and hard-working Americans”.

The survey, conducted by Penn Schoen Berland (PSB), found that 86 percent of voters believe that changing the compliance requirements under the RFS, which is intended to reduce emissions and increase the use of ethanol and other renewable fuels, would increase gasoline and diesel prices at the pump. This change would hurt every driver in the United States, and, in turn, increase the price of many products for American consumers.

These findings are being released, in the view of the associations, “as some refineries and their investors, who failed to invest in renewable fuel blending facilities, are now displeased with their business decisions and are pushing the Environmental Protection Agency to shift their costs to wholesalers and fuel retailers”. More than 90 percent of voters agree, however, that refiners who make gasoline and diesel fuel should be responsible for compliance.

The findings also revealed that 81 percent of voters are concerned that shifting the cost from refiners who make fuel to wholesalers and retailers who sell it would increase fraud and the cost of overseeing the system.

“These survey findings highlight the underlying truth about the current rules under the RFS,” said Lisa Mullings, president and CEO of NATSO. “A vast majority of U.S. voters agree that any shift would increase fuel prices for consumers, add complexity to the system, and increase fraud.”

“No one wants to pay more at the gas pump to help a couple of refiners,” said Ryan McNutt, CEO of SIGMA. “Refiners already charge for the cost of compliance when they sell their products. Let’s not get fooled into letting those refiners collect money and then make everyone else pay for it again.”

On December 1, 2016, a diverse group of associations that represents the vast majority of the fuel industry, signed onto a letter arguing that RFS compliance should not change. It is unprecedented for those who make ethanol and gasoline, as well as those who sell these products, to agree on public policy in this area.

Category: Policy

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