Toomey, Feinstein, Collins, Menendez Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Repeal Ethanol Mandate

The
bill would help reduce carbon emissions from transportation fuels by removing
the volume requirements for corn ethanol while leaving in place the volume
obligations for advanced and cellulosic biofuels and biodiesel.

“The
federal government forcing Americans to buy billions of gallons of corn ethanol
is terrible policy on many levels,” said Senator Toomey. “For starters,
it imposes financial harm on consumers and refineries, risking thousands of
good-paying jobs. Further, the RFS drives up the cost of gas and food, harms
our environment, and damages engines. I hope my colleagues will join us in our
bipartisan effort to end this backwards policy.”

“The
federal corn ethanol mandate no longer makes sense when better, lower-carbon
alternatives exist,” said Senator Feinstein. “Corn ethanol achieves
little to no reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. It’s time to end the
mandate and instead support more advanced biofuels and biodiesel that won’t
contribute to climate change or drive up the cost of food.”

“Corn
ethanol blended gasoline poses significant economic and safety risks by
damaging or destroying engines of older cars, boats, and snowmobiles; causing
food and feed prices to rise; and presenting significant environmental
concerns,” said Senator Collins. “Our bipartisan legislation would
eliminate the corn ethanol mandate for renewable fuel, encouraging the
development of alternative advanced biofuels to meet our energy and
environmental challenges.”

“The
corn ethanol mandate has failed to live up to its emissions reduction promises,
while contributing to higher food prices, causing issues for motorists, and
leading to other environmental damages,” said Senator Menendez. “It’s
time that we move on from this misguided policy and shift our focus to real
solutions that truly address climate change and reduce other harmful
emissions.”

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