Renewable fuel vehicles using biofuels, ethanol and fuel cells hold much promise in reducing carbon emissions. Cars powered by fuel cells are fueled with hydrogen and emit zero emissions. Toyota, Honda and Hyundai now offer hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to consumers for about $80,000. Those concerned with the environment say more must be done to address the immediate problems resulting from climate change, in large part caused by the vehicles we drive. Our EPA administers the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program that requires fuel to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel such as ethanol. The RFS began requiring 4 billion gallons of renewable fuel in 2006 and this amount has increased to 22 billion gallons in 2025. This program was created to diversify the transportation fuel market, strengthen energy security, reduce air pollution and combat climate change by ensuring the United States uses more renewable fuel with each passing year. In some states the RFS is restricted in some summer months due to air quality regulations related to smog.

The Renewable Fuel Standard benefits farmers, biofuel producers, energy security, and consumers (via cost savings & cleaner air), and creates jobs, but has mixed impacts on livestock farmers & food costs. However, RFS supporters claim the Trump administration’s misuse of the EPA’s waiver authority is undermining the RFS program and damaging the renewable fuel industry.

Pending Legislation: H.R.1346 - Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Adrian Smith (NE)
Status: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Chair: Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY)

• I oppose reforming current renewable fuel standard policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA).
• I support permanently allowing the year-round sale of E15 (gasoline with 15% ethanol) nationwide by extending the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver, which currently restricts E15 sales in summer to combat smog by:
  
  1.) Applying the existing RVP waiver (which allows E10 year-round) to E15, eliminating seasonal sales restrictions.
  
  2.) Nullifying existing state exclusions to these waivers, although states may submit new documentation after enactment to be excluded from the program going forward.
  
  3.) Modifying the Renewable Fuel Standard Program to return compliance credits to small refineries that retired them between 2016 and 2018 under specific circumstances, aiming to support their financial viability.
  
  And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.