Illinois Congressman Thinks RFS Needs Fixing

Cindy Zimmerman

fps13-shimkusHouse Energy Committee member Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) is leaning toward a legislative fix for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

“The reality is the 2007 bill…was not a good bill in that it said there would have this supply (of cellulosic ethanol) which never materialized,” Shimkus said during an interview at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur Tuesday. “Because of this we have this mechanism to identify what’s being put in the market, called a RIN, and there’s volatility in that RIN pricing.”

Shimkus represents both sides of the issue in his district on the Eastern side of Illinois. “I’ve got corn growers, I’ve got renewable refiners and I’ve got petroleum refiners,” he said. “We’re going to try to fix the volatility of the RINS … but the RFS is not going away.”

The congressman expects his committee will approve and the House will move something to address the volatility and the Senate will be having a hearing on the RFS next month.

Listen to Shimkus talk about the RFS here: Interview with Rep. John Shimkus

Audio, Ethanol, RFS