WASHINGTON — In a letter to Environmental Protection Agency, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators urged the Biden administration to increase the proposed biodiesel volumes to provide certainty to farmers and producers. The senators highlighted how American biodiesel moderates fuel prices and benefits the economy and environment.

“We strongly encourage EPA to utilize the upcoming RVOs for 2023 and 2024 to continue to increase volumes of biomass-based diesel,” the senators wrote to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan. “The production and use of biomass-based diesel contributes significantly to our economy and environment. These homegrown fuels add to our country’s critical fuel supplies, which helps to moderate fuel prices.”

“Farmers and biofuel producers are an essential part of the solution to the nation’s economic, environmental, and energy security challenges. They deserve certainty in this policy. A multiyear rule would provide the predictability and market signals that the biomass-based diesel industry needs to grow,” the senators continued. “Biofuels are poised to play an essential role in a sustainable, homegrown energy future. With the increased use of biomass-based diesel, we can advance efforts to diversify our nation’s fuel supply while creating and sustaining jobs, strengthening local economies, generating tax revenues, and improving energy security.”

Both Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith signed the letter. Klobuchar has advocated for investing in renewable fuel infrastructure, increasing American biodiesel production, and upholding the Clean Air Act’s Renewable Fuel Standard.