House hearing on RFS leaves out biofuel industry again

In Washington, on Wednesday, the House Oversight Subcommittees on Interior and Healthcare, Benefits and Administrative Rules held a joint hearing to ostensibly examine the Renewable Fuel Standard. However, once again, no one from the U.S. biofuels industry was invited to testify, silencing a powerful voice that could speak to the provision’s implementation and effect. If invited to testify, the ethanol industry would have talked about the numerous benefits of the program and why continued support is needed to help overcome barriers erected by the incumbent oil industry.

According to prepared remarks provided on the committee’s website, EPA planed to again cite concern with the “E10 blend wall” as part of the reason why the agency lowered the final conventional 2014–2016 RFS renewable volume obligations below the statutory requirement. That issue is currently before the D.C. Court of Appeals in multiple lawsuits filed by both biofuel and petroleum interests.

The subcommittees will also hear anti-RFS testimony from ActionAid USA and The Heritage Foundation.