[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 104 (Tuesday, June 15, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            RENEWABLE ENERGY

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, it is no secret that this Senator has 
been a leader in promoting renewable energy sources. Iowa has done even 
more to lead the Nation in biofuels production. This leads to a cleaner 
environment and really increases America's energy independence.
  Last week, Reuters reported the Biden administration is considering 
ways to allow U.S. oil refiners to not meet their biofuel blending 
requirements. This same administration has proposed hundreds of 
billions of dollars in subsidies for electric vehicles but failed to 
include any support for biofuels infrastructure, which play a vital 
role in our Nation's transportation sector as well as our efforts to 
reduce greenhouse gases.
  Need I remind my colleagues, President Biden promised in his campaign 
to ``promote and advance renewable energy, ethanol, and other biofuels 
to help rural America and our nation's farmers.'' President Biden is 
not keeping that promise.
  Unfortunately, despite the administration's emphasis on the 
environment and climate, their recent actions contradict that and 
undermine their entire credibility. The biofuel industry has proven 
that ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions from motor fuel by almost 
half.
  Almost every vehicle on the road can run on at least E10 ethanol. 
Many retailers are now selling more E15 ethanol and other higher blends 
like E85, if you have a vehicle that can use E85. Whether it is 10 
percent, 15 percent, or 85 percent, it is cleaner than 100 percent 
petroleum.
  According to the Energy Information Administration, by 2050, 81 
percent of new vehicle sales will still be gas-powered or flex fuel.
  In my introductory telephone conversation with EPA Administrator 
Regan, when he was nominated, he told me that biofuels are a major tool 
in the Biden administration's plan to combat climate change. I stressed 
to him at that time the importance of the biofuels industry to both 
agriculture and energy, and Iowa happens to be the No. 1 producer of 
ethanol.
  No matter what the EPA or Big Oil says about the impact of its 
waivers to oil companies making billions in profits, farmers and 
biofuel producers know and feel the negative impact. Any attempt to 
exempt oil refiners from their biofuels obligation is a blatant 
bailout.
  The law is simple: Blend biofuels or buy credits from those who do. 
By adding more biofuels to our energy mix, we can reduce emissions from 
dirty oil while keeping transportation costs low for working families.
  Unfortunately, despite the administration's emphasis on environment, 
it seems like biofuels don't appear to be much of a priority and well 
short of what nominee at that time, now-EPA Director Regan said that it 
would be. Now it looks like labor unions have been co-opted by Big Oil, 
and we are doing their bidding in the White House.
  President Biden is now faced with a decision. He can lower greenhouse 
gases with biofuels or he can side with Big Oil to destroy biofuel 
demand by illegally tampering with the renewable fuel standard, just as 
we had problems with previous administrations, both Republican and 
Democratic--referring to what the Obama and Trump administrations did 
with the small refineries exemption.
  Whether it is labor unions or Big Oil, I won't tire in standing up 
for homegrown clean biofuels. I did that whether we had Democratic or 
Republican administrations. I will continue to advocate for Iowans and 
the biofuels because it strengthens U.S. energy independence, makes for 
a cleaner environment, and creates jobs in rural America.
  I encourage President Biden, EPA Administrator Regan, and my 
colleagues from across the aisle to keep it clean.
  Does President Biden want to be known as ``Big Oil'' Biden? I don't 
think he does.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Utah.

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