WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), along with Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-02), and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), introduced the Safeguarding Domestic Energy Production and Independence Act of 2023. The bipartisan, bicameral bill will give refineries access to renewable fuel credits. Senators Bob Casey (PA) and Chris Coons (DE) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
“In the midst of market uncertainty and fluctuating fuel costs, Congress has a responsibility to provide American workers and refineries with greater predictability,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Our bipartisan bill ensures stability by requiring the issuance of renewable fuel credits at a lower and fixed price, as well as invests in innovations in biofuels and environmental conservation. I am grateful to this coalition of my House and Senate colleagues from both sides of the aisle for their partnership on the Safeguarding Domestic Energy Production and Independence Act of 2023.”
“This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is a crucial step in addressing Renewable Fuel Standard compliance costs,” said Congressman Boyle. “These costs pose a threat to the livelihoods of thousands of skilled laborers in our region. This legislation will help union workers by ensuring renewable fuel credits are issued at a lower, fixed cost for compliance, creating a new source of revenue to fund critical activities in this field.”
“As a union electrician, I installed transmission cables at refineries along the Delaware River. They are critical to our national and regional economies and our workforce in South Jersey,” said Congressman Norcross. “While I support the intention for RINs to be an eco-friendly policy that facilitates the transition to renewable fuels, the outdated RIN system isn’t working. This arbitrary system has led to sky-high compliance costs that threaten our economy, national security, and union workers at these refineries. That’s why I’m introducing this legislation to control the volatility of the RINs market, strengthen our energy security, and provide certainty for our economy and workforce as we transition to a greener energy sector.”
“America must invest in an independent and sustainable energy future in order to ensure market stability and curb the worst impacts of climate change,” said Congresswoman Scanlon. “By updating the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) – a decades-old program vital to reducing carbon dioxide emissions – this bill creates new revenue streams that support conservation and low-carbon energies while stabilizing an industry that employs thousands of union workers in our region. The Safeguarding Domestic Energy Production and Independence Act of 2023 is a critical step forward towards a better, cleaner energy future.”
“The skyrocketing price of RFS compliance is threatening our Nation’s refining capacity and the futures of thousands of skilled union workers and their families across the Northeast,” said Senator Casey. “The Safeguarding Domestic Energy Production & Independence Act will provide certainty and predictability for the workers at merchant refineries like the Monroe Energy Refinery in Marcus Hook, all while supporting the transition to renewable fuels.”
“The RFS program continues to create significant uncertainty and high compliance costs for small refineries like Delaware City Refinery in my home state. We can and must do more to address volatile and soaring compliance costs driven by fuel mandates that are out of step with domestic fuel demand,” said Senator Coons. “I’m proud to join my colleagues on this legislation to provide certainty and stability for small refineries and the good-paying union jobs they create.”
The Safeguarding Domestic Energy Production & Independence Act will reduce the cost of the RFS without adversely impacting ethanol consumption. Specifically, this bill would direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue and sell “conventional biofuel waiver credits” at a low, fixed price for refiners to use for RFS compliance if they are unable to obtain RINs cost effectively in the marketplace. The program would operate similarly to EPA’s waiver credit program for cellulosic biofuel.
The bill is endorsed by the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, the Delaware County Council, the Greater Reading Chamber, the Pilot’s Association for the Bay and River Delaware, Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Ironworkers Local 401, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Boilermakers Local 13, IBEW Local 654, IBEW Local 98, IUPAT District Council 21, Laborers’ Local 413, the National Wildlife Federation, NECA Penn-Del-Jersey, the PA Chamber of Commerce, the Pennsylvania Bus Association, the Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council, the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, the Philadelphia Area Labor Management Committee, the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades, Philaport, the Pittsburgh Area Airport Chamber of Commerce, Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, Philadelphia Plumbers Local 690, Sprinkler Fitters 692, Steamfitters Local 420, the United Steelworkers International, and USW Local 10-234.
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