Press Releases

House Climate Report Looks to Biofuels to Fight Climate Change



Tuesday, June 30, 2020


SIOUX FALLS, SD (June 30) – Today the U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released its report containing policy recommendations to address the growing crisis around climate change. The report includes key provisions that recognize the critical role of biofuels like ethanol in reducing the greenhouse gases that are raising the temperature of the Earth, causing adverse health impacts and damaging our planet.

The House Committee is the latest in a long list of those who recognize that biofuels are necessary to combat climate change. We do not have time to waste in addressing this growing crisis, and our nation must utilize all technologies available. Biofuels are uniquely positioned to reduce CO2-e from the transportation sector right now.

“We applaud the committee members and staff for publishing a report based on scientific findings rather than caving to Big Oil and promoting the outrageous lies they fund. Biofuels like ethanol are an affordable, readily available solution that give all consumers the power to join the Renewable Revolution and are a proven catalyst for successful agriculture, which is key to finding permanent solutions to global challenges like climate change,” said POET Founder and CEO Jeff Broin.

Importantly, the committee recognizes that low-carbon liquid fuel, like ethanol, has numerous environmental and health benefits. Ethanol is a liquid biofuel that has up to 90% less GHG emissions than gasoline, which contains numerous toxic chemicals that harm human health and the environment.

The Committee is looking to build on the success of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and create a Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) that encourages production and use of lower-carbon liquid fuels. To date, the RFS has successfully reduced our dependence on foreign oil, boosted farm incomes, improved air quality, and created rural jobs. A federal LCFS can move the dial even further. However, in the meantime, we urge the committee and House leadership to commit to supporting the rollout of biofuel infrastructure and higher biofuel blends that can have an even greater impact immediately.

Leveraging agriculture innovation to address climate change not only puts in place a viable climate solution, but also provides a needed lifeline for farmers, who have struggled in recent times due to challenging weather conditions, unfavorable trade dynamics, biased federal policies, and most recently, reduced demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the report includes a goal of transitioning to 100% zero-emission vehicles sold by 2035, it also recognizes the long-term role of internal combustion engine vehicles that can be made greener by using lower-carbon liquid fuels, like biofuels. It is imperative that policymakers analyze the full lifecycle of all vehicle technologies when pursuing this goal and defining zero emissions, not just the emissions of the vehicle itself. Misrepresenting the benefits without using the full lifecycle will set us up for failure and create additional hurdles down the road.

This report is an important step forward, and we urge all policymakers to enact policies that support the role of biofuels and agriculture in combating climate change.

About POET
POET, headquartered in Sioux Falls, SD, is the world’s largest biofuels producer. POET is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. Started in 1987, the company today has a network of 28 production facilities across 7 states. At full run rates, POET purchases 5% of US corn and produces 2 billion gallons of ethanol, 10 billion pounds of distillers dried grains, and 600 million pounds of corn oil annually. In 2019, Fast Company recognized POET on its annual list of “Most Innovative Companies” for transportation and FORTUNE recognized POET on its list of companies that are changing the world. For more information, visit poet.com.

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