Environmental security

Biofuels and national security: Why consumers should care

People all across the United States have by now seen American Petroleum Institute (API) ads targeting the Renewable Fuel Standard, or RFS. While these 15-second TV ads have focused generally on problems with the federal biofuels mandate, they have overlooked one of the most troubling aspects of the program: the damage that EPA implementation decisions have inflicted on our national security. Even if the RFS remains in place, the trading program that mandates compliance with it must be fixed in order to maintain a strong domestic refining sector.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) frequently points to national security in its justification for environmental programs. Yet, in spite of the rote frequency with which EPA makes these claims, it has failed to provide any specific or credible analysis to verify the security case for them. If any such meaningful analysis were done, it would likely find that the RFS compliance program with its controversial and costly Renewable Identification Number (RIN) market poses a serious threat to one of the most important components of our national security: a robust United States refining sector.