February 14, 2017
Press Release
Congressional Biofuels Caucus Co-chairs Congressman Collin C. Peterson (D-MN), Congressman Rodney Davis (R-IL), Congresswoman Kristi Noem (R-SD), and Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA), led Members of Congress in a bipartisan letter to the Trump Administration about the importance of a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
In their letter to President Trump the lawmakers emphasized the economic benefits of the RFS saying, “In 2015 alone, the RFS is directly responsible for creating nearly 86,000 jobs ranging from farms to equipment manufacturers to ethanol production facilities.” The letter encourages the administration to create certainty in the market by continuing its commitment to the RFS.
“As a co-chair of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, it is important to remind the new Administration of its commitment to the Renewable Fuel Standard and how it creates jobs and strengthens rural economies,” Peterson said. “I am pleased with the bipartisan support for this letter and will continue to fight for a robust Renewable Fuel Standard in the years to come.”
“A strong RFS is extremely important to our nation's economy,” Davis said. “The RFS is crucial to supporting jobs across rural America and in other parts of our country. I look forward to working with the new administration to ensure we maintain a strong RFS.”
“With advances in technology, we are growing more on fewer acres and using that efficiency to diversify the market,” Noem said. “Through the RFS, we can make sure American-grown fuels have a place in our energy supply and give farmers and ranchers the opportunity to contribute to greater energy independence.”
“The RFS is more than just a number. It represents the hard work Iowa’s farmers and rural communities put into creating a fuel source for the future that also decreases our dependence on foreign oil.” Loebsack said. “As the co-chair of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, I am proud to help lead the fight for a strong RFS and have worked to highlight its importance to Iowa. I look forward to working with my colleagues, the EPA, and new administration to ensure the RFS remains strong for our country, for our economy, and for Iowa.”
Letter’s language:
Dear President Trump:
As members of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, we write you today to urge your administration to continue to support a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). This is an important policy that creates jobs in rural America, boosts economic growth, and lowers gas prices nationwide.
As you know, communities in rural America depend on agriculture and manufacturing jobs for employment. The RFS supports 400,000 of these jobs across the nation. In 2015 alone, the RFS is directly responsible for creating nearly 86,000 jobs ranging from farms to equipment manufactures to ethanol production facilities. There is no doubt that rural Americans and their families benefit from the economic expansion and jobs created by the RFS.
In 2015, the RFS added $44 billion in economic activity. This is felt throughout greater America as farmers produce larger harvests to meet fuel demand. In turn, equipment manufacturers produce more efficient farm machinery, and truckers are relied on to move products. Engineers at ethanol and biodiesel facilities across the nation produce the most cost-effective biofuels in the world, lowering gas prices for all Americans and bringing high-paying jobs to rural areas.
In fact, biofuels play a major role in the reduction of gas prices. The biofuels production capabilities of our nation are extraordinarily efficient. Studies show that ethanol can reduce gas prices by as much as $1.00 per gallon. With ethanol blended in 97% of gasoline, it is helping consumers save money virtually every time they fill up. A strong and continued RFS can reduce gas prices even further.
We encourage your administration to engage with the Congressional Biofuels Caucus to generate strategies that ensure the RFS remains strong. Continued commitments to this biofuels policy will create certainty and lead to additional jobs in rural America, enhanced economic growth, and help keep gas prices low. We look forward to working with you in the years that follow.
Read the original release: Peterson, Davis, Noem, and Loebsack Lead Call for Strong RFS