Sixteen members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today calling on the agency to get back on track with the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and strengthen the biofuels volume requirements. The rules are due to be finalized on November 30, 2015 and the biofuels industry is calling on the EPA to uphold the law and bring the RFS back into compliance with renewable volume obligations (RVOs).
The CBC members point out in the letter the benefits of the RFS to the environment and economy, as well as how renewable fuel including cellulosic and advanced biofuels are reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
As Politico points out, there is dissension among the Congressional Black Caucus ranks. Last year the Caucus sent a letter urging the EPA to lower the amount of corn-based ethanol. Today, 16 members have broken from their group and are now calling on more renewable fuel to be blended under the RFS. The members include: Rep. Payne; Rep. Clarke; Rep. Holmes Norton; Rep. Hastings; Rep. Bishop; Rep. Lee; Rep. Brown; Rep. Davis; Rep. Cleaver; Rep. Rangel; Rep. Johnson; Rep. Adams; Rep. Kelly; Rep. Butterfield; Rep. Carson; and Rep. Clyburn.