Agriculture and Forestry
Bioenergy
Renewable Energy

Energy Committee Seeks Stakeholder Comments on the Impacts of the RFS on the Environment

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May 17, 2013

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce is continuing its assessment of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Committee has issued its third white paper focusing on "Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Other Environmental Impacts." The Committee is seeking stakeholder input by May 24 on a series of questions.

On May 9, the House Energy and Commerce Committee announced the release of the third white paper in its ongoing bipartisan review of the RFS. They are seeking stakeholder input on the following questions:

  1. Is the RFS reducing greenhouse gas emissions below that of baseline petroleum-derived fuels? Is the RFS incentivizing the development of a new generation of lower greenhouse gas emitting fuels? Will the RFS produce further greenhouse gas emissions reductions when it is fully implemented?
  2. Could EPA’s methodology for calculating lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions be improved, including its treatment of indirect land use changes? If so, how?
  3. Is the definition of renewable biomass adequate to protect against unintended environmental consequences? If not, how should it be modified?
  4. What are the non-greenhouse gas impacts of the RFS on the environment relative to a comparable volume of petroleum-derived fuels? Is there evidence of a need for air quality regulations to mitigate any adverse impacts of the RFS?
  5. Has implementation of the RFS revealed any environmental challenges or benefits not fully anticipated in the statute?
  6. What is the optimal percentage of ethanol in gasoline? What is the optimal percentage of biomass-based diesel in diesel fuel?
  7. What are the best options for further substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector? Is the RFS an important component of such efforts?

Please send responses to [email protected] by Friday, May 24, 2013. The Committee plans to release additional white papers on various topics relating to the RFS for stakeholder comment in the weeks ahead.

Click here to read EESI’s comments on the first topic "Blend Wall / Fuel Compatibility Issues."

Click here to read EESI’s comments on the second topic "Agricultural Sector Impacts."