Statement from Secretary Tom Vilsack on Finalization of the Renewable Fuel Standard

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2015—Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's finalization of the Renewable Fuel Standard volume requirements:

"The rule released today is a positive step forward providing for continued growth in all parts of the Renewable Fuel Standard—advanced, biodiesel, cellulosic, and conventional—building on the Obama Administration's and USDA's commitment to biofuels and American-grown renewable energy. While the Renewable Fuel Standard is one piece of the equation of this commitment, it is not the only piece. Significant strategic investments by this Administration across the board in feedstock production, research, refining capacity, distribution and new market development have resulted in an a sophisticated and growing American biofuels industry.

"America's renewable energy industry has quickly expanded and evolved since 2009 when the Obama Administration embraced an all-of-the-above energy strategy. Since then, we have more than doubled renewable energy production, and today we import less than half our oil. We are saving Americans money at the pump with improved and expanded ethanol and biodiesel production. Our national security has been bolstered because we are more energy secure and also because our nation's military is a major commercial customer for U.S. biofuels. We're also combatting climate change with investments in technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide for cleaner air. And we're building our economy by exporting U.S. biofuels to other nations, stabilizing farm prices with expanded production, and creating good jobs in small towns and rural communities.

"This unprecedented commitment is part of the reason why, even in recent years when there has been some uncertainty with RFS, we have seen continued growth in biofuels production and consumption. USDA and this Administration remain committed to using the full set of tools at our disposal to expand the use of biofuels, which support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, bring choice and savings to consumers when they fill up at the pump, support American producers, expand new markets for rural-grown and -made products, and drive economic investment in rural America."

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