House Members Press EPA Chief for RFS Changes
Source: By Todd Neeley, DTN/Progressive farmer • Posted: Friday, December 8, 2017
U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt testified before Congress on Thursday for the first time since his confirmation. (DTN file photo)
OMAHA (DTN) — On the same day Scott Pruitt met with President Donald Trump and members of Congress from oil-producing states regarding the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator also was pressed during a congressional hearing to commit to limiting corn ethanol volumes.
Pruitt has faced pressure from both oil and ethanol interests in recent months to make a variety of changes to the RFS.
Pruitt testified before the environmental subcommittee of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday. This was the first time the administrator appeared before Congress since his confirmation on Feb. 17, 2017.
After thanking him for listening to states as it relates to EPA regulations, Rep. Pete Olson, R-Texas, questioned Pruitt about what the agency will do with the RFS going forward.
“I’ve had long and serious concerns with the RFS,” Olson said. “Until we act, you have a lot of leeway going forward.”
Pruitt said the framework of the RFS is “very challenging.”
Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, asked Pruitt to commit to making changes to the corn-ethanol portion of the RFS, by limiting the amount of ethanol in the fuel supply at 9.7% by volume — the same request made by oil industry interests.
“I can’t commit to anything, congressman,” Pruitt responded. “We can’t pre-judge the outcome at this point.”
Pruitt touted the agency’s efforts so far for getting implementation of the RFS back on track. During the past eight years, the agency repeatedly missed deadlines for setting RFS volumes. So far, Pruitt’s EPA has announced volumes on time.