Smith and Biofuels Caucus Co-Chairs Announce Two New Bills to Grow Biofuels Markets

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), along with the co-chairs of the House Biofuels Caucus, introduced the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act and the Adopt GREET Act today. These two new pieces of legislation would increase access to biofuels for consumers and require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fully recognize their environmental benefits.

"As the second-largest ethanol producing state, Nebraska is already a leader in providing America and the world with clean, renewable fuel," said Rep. Smith. "Ensuring EPA's models accurately reflect ethanol's environmental benefits and improving access to this fuel at the pump will help even more consumers choose this American energy source."

Background on Legislation:

The Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act would authorize $500 million over 5 years for infrastructure grants for fuel retailers and direct the EPA Administrator to finalize a proposed rule to repeal E15 labeling requirements warning drivers about E15's potential impact on cars, which may confuse and deter drivers from using E15, a blend of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol. The bill would also direct the EPA Administrator to finalize provisions from the same proposed rule to allow certain existing Underground Storage Tanks (UST) to store higher blends of ethanol.

The Adopt GREET Act would require the EPA to update its greenhouse gas modeling for ethanol and biodiesel by requiring the EPA to adopt the Argonne National Lab's Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) Model for both fuels. EPA would then be required to update its modeling every five years or report to Congress to affirm its modeling is current or otherwise explain why no updates were made.