Bioenergy -- electricity and fuels derived from materials such as corn, soybeans, and grasses -- can be part of the solution to America's energy and environmental needs. But it must be produced in a way that protects our air, soil and water and generates the lowest amount of global warming pollution.
Congress recently passed a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) as part of the Energy Bill. This standard would require the production of as much as 36 billion gallons of biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, by 2022 and includes important environmental oversight over the full lifecycle of biofuels production. In addition, it mandates that 21 billion gallons come from fuels that release at least 50 percent less global warming pollution than gasoline.
Unfortunately, a competing version of the RFS, one stripped of these vital environmental safeguards, has been included in the Senate Food and Farm Bill. If this version of the RFS passes and is signed into law, it will trump the stronger RFS signed by the president on December 19.
Please urge your Representative to support a smart Renewable Fuel Standard that protects our air, soil and water and significantly reduces global warming pollution. The RFS included in the Energy Bill - not the Senate Food and Farm Bill - represents the best opportunity for bioenergy to play a real role in America's global warming solution.
Dear Representative [Last Name]:
Please support the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) in the Energy Bill that includes vital environmental safeguards, and reject the version currently included in the Senate Food and Farm Bill.
The RFS included in the Energy Bill just signed into law includes vital standards for environmental protection and reductions in global warming pollution. It gives oversight to the Environmental Protection Agency, contains critical habitat and sustainability protections, and mandates that more than half of the new fuels produced release at least 50 percent less global warming pollution than gasoline. The Senate Food and Farm Bill version of the RFS contains none of these requirements.
If developed in a sustainable way, biofuels do have the potential to produce fuel with fewer risks than those associated with oil. But a rapid global expansion of biofuel production could have unwanted environmental and economic consequences. The RFS included in the Energy Bill is a first step toward ensuring a future for biofuels that we will not regret. This version, not the Senate Food and Farm Bill alternative, deserves your support.
[Your Comments]
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
