Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006 – U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, MI-08, issued a statement today after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced regulations to boost production of renewable fuels and reduce further our dependence on foreign oil.  The regulations, required under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which Rogers helped draft, are designed to cut petroleum use by approximately 3.9 billion gallons a year in 2012 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 14 million tons annually.

            The new EPA regulation proposes that 3.71 percent of all the gasoline sold or dispensed to U.S. motorists in 2007 be renewable fuel. In 2006, there will be about 4.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel consumed as motor vehicle fuel in the U.S.  The Renewable Fuels Standard program established by the Energy Policy Act requires that volume to increase to at least 7.5 billion gallons by 2012.

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            Rogers’ measure, HR 5534, to boost the distribution system for ethanol and other renewable fuels has passed the House and awaits Senate action.  Today he made the following statement on the 2007 EPA rule:

“Renewable fuels such as ethanol help Michigan by making fuel for our vehicles more affordable and doing a better job of protecting our environment.  I believe all of us would prefer to pay American farmers and renewable fuel producers, instead of an Iranian Ayatollah, for the fuel that drives our economy.  Every step we take to increase our use of renewable, American-grown and produced fuel takes us further away from our dependence on foreign oil and lays the foundation for  a stronger economy and cleaner environment in Michigan and the nation.”