Earlier this week, the Florida Legislature passed HB4001, a bill that repeals the state Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Senator Greg Evers was a huge supporter of the bill, that allows Florida consumers the ability to purchase gasoline that is ethanol free.

In a statement, Evers said, “The bill eliminates the unnecessary power of the government to force Florida citizens to buy and sell ethanol blended gasoline. It returns that power to the people and restores the power of the free market by giving consumers and retailers a choice regarding what fuel they wish to buy.”

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy responded to the news in a joint statement:

“Today’s Senate vote was a pyrrhic victory for ethanol detractors. It substantively changes nothing because the state mandate was redundant. The federal Renewable Fuel Standard will still apply and, thankfully for consumers who will continue to see savings at the pump, ethanol and other renewable fuels will be sold in Florida.

All this bill has done is put politics and oil industry profits ahead of economic opportunity and jobs in the state. The only result of this legislation will be a loss of jobs and economic opportunity in Florida. Florida has made it clear — biofuels and the valuable jobs that are created in the renewable fuels industry are no longer welcome in Florida.”