Posted on: May 23, 2013 in Environment, Gas Prices, Jobs, Oil, Renewable Fuel Standard

In an interview published on May 22, Charles Drevna, President of the American Fuels & Petrochemical Manufacturers, disparaged the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and claimed it negatively effects consumers. He couldn’t be more wrong, and left out many key facts that would inform this debate.

It is no surprise that the oil industry’s lobbyist fails to mention that when compared to gasoline, ethanol decreases greenhouse gas emissions by 40-50 percent. Mr. Drevna also fails to mention that the RFS has created and sustained more than 70,000 jobs in the United States while also indirectly supporting an additional 295,000. He fails to mention that the RFS decreased our dependence on foreign oil by replacing 462 million barrels of imported oil with ethanol last year. He fails to mention that in 2011, the RFS saved the average American family $1,200 in gas purchases. The oil industry can turn a blind eye to these facts, but the Orlando Sentinel should not. The RFS clearly strengthens America and puts the needs of drivers first.

Florida recently passed state legislation that would repeal the state’s renewable fuel requirement. Even Mr. Drevna acknowledges that the Florida legislation is pointless. The federal RFS will still apply. Florida’s legislation is entirely for show and is clearly pandering to oil companies, really only sending a decidedly negative signal to investors not to build advanced biofuels here. That’s no justification for legislation, and no benefit to consumers in the state.

Bob Dinneen

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