Ethanol Big Topic in Upcoming Energy Hearings, Regulatory Groups Meet to Discuss EPA Air Standards

A hearing of the Energy and Commerce subcommittee today will discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard, the "E15" blend, and other federal mandates relating to biofuels. Criticism of implementing such mandates is expected, especially provisions from the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Another panel will be held tomorrow on fraudulent RIN's, biodiesel credits companies can buy in order to satisfy the mandates, by a separate Energy and Commerce panel.

The biofuel issue is an important one for energy independence though, argues Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen. "Without ethanol and... the RFS, our 2011 rate of oil import dependence would have been 52 percent, rather than... 45 percent," he claimed. He will testify that increased ethanol production has been paramount to the advancement towards energy independence and self-sufficiency.

Three regulatory groups, the National Association of Clean Air Agencies, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and the National Association of State Energy Officials, will hold a conference today to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency air pollution rules that have been under attack by the Republicans for some time now. Gina McCarthy and White House Council on Environmental Quality Deputy Director Gary Guzy will be among the panelists. The EPA's rules on curbing smog-forming, particulate and toxic emissions from power plants as well as new greenhouse gas performance standards will be main topics of discussion.