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Minor setback won’t deter supporters of RVP relief

Renewable fuels supporters say a minor setback won’t prevent Reid Vapor Pressure relief from eventually happening.

In response to the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee decision to not consider the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act before Congress adjourns for August recess, Growth Energy director of government affairs John Fuher tells Brownfield progress has been made.

“There’s a lot of positive, forward movement on getting this done, but I think the tight timeframe (Congress) was given to get this done…it was just going to be really tough to get it done before the Wednesday deadline.”

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) executive vice president Brian Jennings thanked Senators Deb Fischer of Nebraska and Joe Donnelly of Indiana for spearheading legislation that would allow for higher blends of ethanol during the summer.

As lawmakers return to their home states during the August recess, Jennings is calling on ACE members to encourage their elected officials to support the bill.

Fuher says RVP relief through federal law this year was always a long-shot.

“By the time we get to a scenario where this gets to a point where it may go into a bill that gets passed into law, we’re probably looking at a September or October timeframe at the earliest.  And if you’re looking at that type of a timeframe at the earliest, you’d already be through the RVP season.”

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says while disappointed, work will continue with bipartisan supporters to enact the bill and provide cleaner and cheaper fuel options year-round.