Brian Jennings, executive vice president for the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), along with ACE officials and members will be testifying against the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard rule during the EPA’s public hearing in Crystal City, Virginia on December 5th.

Jennings says ACE’s Washington D.C. advisor Jonathon Lehman and Bruce Vollan, owner of Vollan Oil Company, will speak out alongside several ACE members against EPA’s proposed cut of the RFS during the hearing.

“As an advisor to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, Lehman helped develop and craft the original version of the RFS that was eventually enacted by Congress in 2005. As such, Jonathon is uniquely qualified to help EPA understand that Congress did not want the E10 blend wall or oil company foot-dragging to be an excuse to waive the RFS in the way they are proposing,” said Jennings.

“As a retailer, Bruce Vollan understands that when consumers have a choice, including the option to buy gasoline without ethanol, most people will choose fuel containing ethanol. Since he began offering E15, E85 and other blends, ethanol has comprised on average between 18 and 28 percent of his overall fuel sales. Bruce will explain to EPA that keeping the RFS intact is the best way to ensure market access for E15 and E85,” added Jennings.

ACE will be submitting comments to EPA during the formal comment period and has set up a digital RFS Action Center so supporters can share their personal stories with EPA about the importance of the RFS.