23-07-2013

AFPM calls on congress to declare the RFS null and void

American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) President Charles T. Drevna testified today at a House Subcommittee on Energy and Power hearing titled “Overview of the Renewable Fuel Standard: Stakeholder Perspectives.” 

During his remarks, Drevna characterized Congress’ enactment of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 as a contract with the American people, which promised significant steps toward energy independence and national security and added environmental protections. One major component of this energy legislation was the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which called for massive amounts of renewable fuels to be blended into the nation’s transportation fuel supply.

“In 2013, we now know that the RFS is a program based upon erroneous market assumption, obstacles that prevent the safe consumption of ethanol at increasing mandated levels, and many other unintended negative consequences,” Drevna said. “In short, Congress should declare the contract null and void and repeal the RFS.” 

One of the most urgent problems with the RFS is the E10 blendwall, which represents the maximum amount of ethanol that can be blended safely into gasoline without damaging engines. This year consumer consumption will fall short of meeting the mandated volumes of ethanol that are required to be blended into the fuel supply. And, while refiners are often not the party blending ethanol into gasoline, they are the obligated party responsible for ensuring that all mandated levels of ethanol are introduced into the nation’s fuel supply.When the gasoline supply contains the maximum amount of ethanol it can handle, as is expected this year, refiners must purchase ethanol credits or Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), to make-up the shortfall and show compliance with the RFS. Drevna told the Subcommittee that this blendwall has driven the price of RINs from 4 to 7 cents in January to as much as $1.48 for the Week of July 15, forcing refiners to make difficult decisions.

“When refiners are unable to purchase sufficient RINs for compliance, they may be left with only bad options, which force them to reduce the amount of fuel they supply to the U.S. market. Likewise, importers of gasoline, also obligated parties, will look elsewhere to market their product,” Drevna warned.

“Let me be clear, AFPM is not anti-ethanol or anti-biofuels, both can play an important role in the fuel mix, provided they are safely integrated into the fuel supply and are accepted by consumers. AFPM does, however, oppose mandates and subsidies because they limit consumer choice, stifle innovation, and in the case of the RFS, are harmful to consumers,” Drevna ended.