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RFA Report Notes 28 COP21 Countries Relying on Biofuels for Carbon Reduction: U.S. Does Not. Huh?

November 5, 2015

           

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) released a report today pointing out that, while nearly 30 countries attending Decembers climate talks in Paris have submitted action plans that call for using biofuels as a means of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the United States did not mention the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in its plan, nor did it acknowledge the important role biofuels have played in significantly reducing GHG emissions from the transportation sector over the past decade. The report notes that transportation-related emissions, which account for 27 percent of total U.S. GHG emissions, have steadily trended downward since adoption of the RFS, and current levels are 10 percent below 2005 levels. The report also notes that both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) cite that the use of biofuels has had a positive net impact on reducing GHG emissions. It is unquestionable that biofuels have delivered substantial GHG emissions reductions from the transportation sector over the past decade, said RFAs President and CEO, Bob Dinneen. And these emissions reductions would not have been possible without the adoption of the RFS. Inexplicably, the United States initial submission to COP21 completely ignores past GHG reductions and the future promise of even greater reductions as the RFS drives further improvements in biofuels technologies. It is ironic that the climate talks will take place just as EPA is due to release its final rule on the 2014-2016 RVOs. If EPA sticks to its initial proposal, it will roll back the single most successful climate change program the world has ever seen. The administration wants to be viewed as a leader on climate change; then it must do what nearly 30 other countries who are attending COP21 plan on doing and embrace, not ignore, biofuels.   To read the report click: here.