A bipartisan group of U.S. senators led by Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) sent a letter this week urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prioritize the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and to support biofuels.

Specifically, the lawmakers call on the Biden administration to maintain the blending requirements for 2022; deny all pending Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs); eliminate proposed retroactive cuts to the renewable volume obligations (RVOs); and set 2021 RFS volumes at the statutory levels.

The senators write that by the Biden administration taking those actions, “the EPA can quickly restore integrity, stability, and growth to the RFS and the U.S. biofuel sector while ensuring that the program continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diversify our fuels, drive down gas prices, strengthen our national security, and drive rural economic opportunity.”

“These senators understand that the RFS is the most powerful and effective tool we have to immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, keep consumer gas prices in check, and support a vibrant rural economy,” said Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “RFA proudly stands with them in calling on the Biden administration to follow through on its commitments to put the RFS back on track.”

“As EPA prepares to make several important announcements regarding the RFS this year, the bipartisan backing and leadership of these senators is greatly appreciated,” American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said. “By taking the senators’ recommendations … EPA can fully utilize the RFS for its enacted purpose, to replace petroleum with low carbon alternatives, which will help grow demand for biofuels that benefit rural America as well as the Administration’s decarbonization goals.”

EPA’s public comment period on its proposals to cut the 2020 RVO and establish RVOs for 2021 and 2022 ends on Friday, February 4.