(NAFB) – A Group of 17 Republican Senators call on the Environmental Protection Agency to waive or significantly reduce volume requirements for 2020, and set the upcoming 2021 and 2022 renewable fuel obligations “at levels that reflect reality.”

In a letter to the EPA, the lawmakers state, “Obligated parties subject to the onerous requirements of the RFS have been facing historically high compliance costs, which threaten the viability of these entities’ continued operations.”  The senators continued, “We urge EPA to take action to reduce RFS compliance costs in order to avert additional financial hardship for consumers and protect the continued viability of U.S. refineries.”

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper responds to the letter, stating it “just rehashes the same tired arguments that have been disproven time and time again.”

Cooper says “anti-ethanol” Senators are “circling the wagons to protect the status quo for Big Oil and continuing their efforts to undermine cleaner, greener renewable fuels.”