The American Petroleum Institute (API) continues to lambaste the Renewable Fuel Standard (#RFS) as the energy policy draws criticism from all sides. Cited as the most effective energy policy ever enacted in the U.S. by supporters, API remains steadfast in its efforts to get the legislation repealed.

Gas station in Fairfield Glade, TN promoting ethanol-free fuel. Photo credit: Joanna Schroeder

Shortly before a Senate committee oversight hearing on Wednesday, API’s Downstream Group Director Frank Macchiarola said during a press call, “Ahead of the hearing, we are reminding policy makers and the public that the oil and natural gas industry is stepping up our call for Congress to protect consumers from this harmful mandate. We continue to seek the repeal of or significant reforms to the RFS. Since the inception of the ethanol mandate a decade ago, the U.S. has undergone an energy transformation from a nation of energy dependence and scarcity to one of energy security and abundance. It is well past time to reform outdated energy policies to reflect the energy realities of today and tomorrow.”

Macchiarola added that API is hopeful support in Congress for repealing or modifying the RFS is growing. (Although if the current presidential race is any indication, this is in fact not true.)

Growth Energy responded to the remarks stating once again that the oil industry is spouting its “same old, disproven talking points about ethanol and the RFS”. The organization points to the fact that ethanol is the most tested fuel in American history; it’s a less expensive choice for consumers at the pump; and that NASCAR drivers have raced more than eight million miles on ethanol.

“Though this kind of rhetoric should be shocking, it no longer is,” said Tom Buis, co-chair of Growth Energy. “The oil industry has made a habit of repeatedly trotting out bogus studies for the single purpose of blocking competition and consumer choice to protect their profits. The fact is that rigorous testing and unbiased studies from the government and other industries have repeatedly demonstrated that ethanol and other biofuels are a less expensive, cleaner and better performing alternative to oil.”

Buis continued, “It’s obvious that API’s discredited study has no basis in fact and is simply an attempt to maintain its monopoly on the motor fuel marketplace. In reality, a strong, bipartisan majority of Americans support ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard, which provides our country with nearly 400,000 jobs and significantly cuts greenhouse gas emissions.”

“API’s proposal will turn back the clock – and it must be rejected so that cleaner burning, higher performing biofuels will not be eliminated,” added Buis. “Congress should ignore a request that leads to an increase in air toxins and dirtier air to breathe.”