Congress Celebrates 20 Years of the RFS: What the Fuel Standard Means for Your Wallet and Rural Jobs

This bill isn’t a new law that changes the rules; it’s a resolution—essentially a formal pat on the back from Congress celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). If you’ve ever filled up your tank and seen the sticker mentioning “up to 10% ethanol,” you’ve met the RFS. This resolution confirms that Congress views the RFS as a huge win for energy security, the economy, and the environment, and they plan to keep it running.

The Biofuel Mandate and Your Commute

The RFS, which was significantly expanded in 2007, sets annual volume requirements for renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel that must be blended into the nation’s transportation fuel supply. The resolution highlights that this mandate has driven billions in private investment, resulting in over 275 renewable fuel facilities operating across 36 states, collectively producing over 25 billion gallons annually. For the average driver, the resolution claims this blending saves you money—specifically noting that fuels like E15 (15% ethanol) can lower gas prices by 10 to 30 cents per gallon, and biodiesel cuts traditional diesel prices by about 4 percent. This cost saving is a key reason why Congress is celebrating the program.

Fueling the Rural Economy

One of the biggest impacts celebrated here is the program's role in the rural economy. The RFS creates a reliable, domestic market for agricultural products, providing a crucial safety net for farmers when international export markets get shaky. The resolution asserts that the entire bioeconomy—the industry built around producing and processing these fuels—contributed a massive $210 billion to the U.S. GDP in 2023 and supported nearly 644,000 domestic jobs. Think of it this way: the demand created by the RFS keeps processing plants open in rural areas, which means jobs and stability for those communities, connecting the cornfield directly to the gas pump.

The Environmental Angle: Cutting Emissions

Beyond the economic and security benefits, the resolution focuses on the environmental mandate of the RFS. The law requires that renewable fuels cut down on lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by specific amounts (ranging from 20 to 60 percent depending on the fuel type). By mandating these lower-carbon fuels, the RFS has helped diversify the U.S. fuel supply and reduce overall emissions. For anyone concerned about climate policy, this resolution affirms that the RFS remains central to the national strategy for achieving energy independence and reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels. While this resolution doesn't change policy, it sends a clear signal to the market, and to you, that this policy is here to stay.