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Democratic senators want RFS levels restored

Two Democratic senators are calling on the Obama administration to reverse its proposed cuts to the 2014 Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

Senators Barbara Boxer of California and Edward Markey of Massachusetts are the latest to weigh in on the proposal, which has been under review by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget.  The senators say that reducing the use of biofuels would lead to increased carbon emissions and discourage an emerging cellulosic ethanol industry.

Boxer chairs the Senate committee on environment and public works, which has oversight authority for the RFS. Markey is a committee member and frequent critic of the oil industry.

Obama administration officials have hinted that the final RFS levels will likely be higher than the initial proposal. However, industry analysts do not expect those levels to be fully restored.

The decision is not expected to be announced until after the November elections.