The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has rejected a petition by the Chicken Council challenging the rule making of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2). Upon filing of the petition, the ethanol industry took action. Today, Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis along with Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen issued a joint statement on behalf of the industry.

“Today’s decision is nothing short of a victory for American ethanol producers and renewable fuel advocates. This was the last of many challenges to the RFS2 rulemaking and each one was rejected. With the Court denying this latest challenge, they have vindicated the rulemaking process of the RFS2.  The RFS is arguably the nation’s most effective energy policy.  It has spurred the development of a domestic biofuels industry that is creating hundreds of thousands of jobs that cannot be outsourced.  In addition, it is helping to decrease the nation’s reliance on imported oil and thus reducing prices at the pump. 

Moreover, the RFS is the nation’s first effort at meaningfully reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.  As the Court ruling demonstrates, the charges that anti-biofuel lobbies are leveling against ethanol simply do not hold up under scrutiny.  We look forward to working with EPA, the Department of Agriculture, and Congress to ensure the integrity of the RFS is maintained and the ambitious goals set within are achieved.”