Eliminating the RFS and Its Destructive Outcomes Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2460
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-04-09T08:06:48Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 2460: Eliminating the RFS and Its Destructive Outcomes Act
Purpose
This bill seeks to eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) renewable fuel program, known as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The RFS requires certain volumes of renewable fuels, like ethanol from plants, to be blended into gasoline and diesel to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote cleaner air. By repealing it, the bill aims to remove what its sponsors view as burdensome regulations on the fuel industry.
Key Provisions
- Repeal of Core Program: Directly repeals Section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545(o)), which establishes the RFS and sets annual blending requirements for renewable fuels in transportation fuels.
- Conforming Amendments:
- Updates Section 211(d) of the Clean Air Act to remove all references to the RFS, ensuring no leftover mentions in rules about fuel additives or prohibitions.
- Amends Section 107(a)(1)(B) of the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 2807(a)(1)(B)) to freeze EPA regulations on renewable fuel credits (known as Renewable Identification Numbers or RINs) as they existed before this bill's enactment, preventing future changes tied to the RFS.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Ends the federal mandate for blending renewable fuels into the U.S. fuel supply, which has been in place since 2005 and expanded by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
- Removes EPA's authority to set and enforce annual renewable fuel volume targets, waivers for small refineries, and related compliance mechanisms.
- Eliminates cross-references to the RFS in other environmental and energy laws, streamlining the Clean Air Act but potentially creating gaps in fuel quality standards.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The EPA would lose a major regulatory program, reducing its oversight of the fuel sector and freeing up resources, but it might shift burdens to other energy policies.
- On Citizens: Could lower fuel prices by removing blending mandates that sometimes increase costs for gasoline and diesel; however, it might affect rural economies dependent on biofuel production and raise concerns about air quality if fossil fuel use rises without alternatives.
- On International Relations: May influence U.S. trade in biofuels (e.g., with Brazil or the EU) and global climate efforts, as the RFS supported international goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.
- Broader effects include potential shifts in energy markets, with less emphasis on biofuels possibly boosting oil imports.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Fuel Producers and Refiners: Oil companies and refineries would benefit from reduced compliance costs, while biofuel producers (e.g., ethanol plants) could face economic losses and job cuts.
- Farmers and Agriculture: Corn and soybean growers, who supply feedstocks for biofuels, might see decreased demand and lower crop prices.
- Consumers and Drivers: Everyday users of gasoline and diesel could experience cheaper fuel but potentially higher environmental costs.
- Environmental Groups: Advocates for clean energy may oppose the repeal, arguing it undermines efforts to combat climate change.
- EPA and Regulators: The agency would need to adjust operations, possibly redirecting focus to other pollution controls.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The repeal could invite lawsuits from biofuel industry stakeholders claiming economic harm or violations of established energy laws; it might also require the EPA to handle ongoing RIN credits under frozen rules, creating administrative challenges.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges, but it touches on Congress's authority over interstate commerce and environmental regulation under the Commerce Clause.
- Political: Highlights divides between energy independence advocates (favoring fossil fuels) and those supporting renewables for climate and rural economies; as an introduced bill in the 119th Congress, its passage would depend on committee approval and broader energy policy debates, potentially signaling a shift away from green energy mandates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-5], Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-03-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Eliminating the RFS and Its Destructive Outcomes Act — issued 2025-03-27 — PDF (2 pages)