Sen. Carper Praises Proposed EPA Rule On Renewable Fuel Standards As Important Step Forward For Biofuel Alternatives

WASHINGTON – Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) praised Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson today for signing a proposed rule to increase the supply of renewable fuels, noting Delaware farmers can help move America one step closer to energy independence.

Under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Congress greatly expanded the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) within the Clean Air Act, but also explicitly required the EPA to account for direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the production and use of renewable fuels and biofuels, verses the use of gasoline and diesel.

Last month, Sen. Carper and a bipartisan group of members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee urged the Office of Management and Budget to move quickly to review federal rules that would put a national renewable fuel program in place by 2010.

Sen. Carper, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, said:

“I believe biofuels, if done correctly, can give us an environmentally friendly option to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and our dependence on foreign energy production.

“The EPA’s actions are an important step to move our nation’s renewable fuels program forward. 

“I applaud Administrator Jackson for acting quickly to ensure we will have a robust discussion on the science of renewable fuels, and look forward to working with the EPA to finalize and implement a rule that brings us closer to a new energy future.”

The EPA will take public comments for 60 days, and plans to finalize this RFS rule by next January.