Durbin Statement on New EPA Renewable Standard Proposal

Statement

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to reduce the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

"The Renewable Fuel Standard has long been a successful driver of investment in the biofuels industry -- a key tool in domestic energy independence -- which supports more than 5,400 direct jobs in Illinois alone. Reducing the standard as the EPA proposed today would be a mistake," said Durbin. "The future of Illinois' rural economy and our nation's long term energy goals depend on this industry. I continue to oppose effort to undermine the renewable fuels standard and will work with my colleagues to protect these important Illinois jobs."

Yesterday, Durbin joined with thirty-one members of the U.S. Senate in sending a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Office of Management and Budget Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell encouraging the agencies not to decrease the RFS.

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