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WASHINGTON, DC 20510 

November 14, 2013 

'I'he I-lonorable'1'om Vilsack 

Sccretary 

IJ.S. Department ofAgriculture 

1400 hldcpendence Ave., S.W. 

Washington, D.C. 20250 

'1'he I-lonorable Gina McCarthy 

Administrator 

IJ.S. 1=nvironmental I'rotection Abency 

1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N. W. 

Washington, D.C. 20460 

"I'he Honorable Sylvia Mathews I3urwell 

Director 

Oftice of Management and 13udget 

725 17th St., N.W. 

Washington, D.C. 20503 

Dear Aclministrator McCartlhy, Seeretary Vilsack, and Director Burwell: 

We write to encourage the Administration to develop a 2014 rcgulatory proposal for the 

Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that supports the current-year projected 1.7 billion gallons of 

U.S. biodiesel production. 

I3iodiesel has exceeded RFS targets in each year and is clearly poised to do so again in 2013. 

'I'he industry has had impressive growtli, goinb far beyond initial expectations just five years ago, 

and is supporting 62,160 jobs and nearly $17 billion in total economic impaet. 13iodiesel is 

improving our energy security by reducinl; our depenclence on imported petroleum diesel, 

diversifying fuel supplies and creating competition in the fuels market. 

Settirng the 2014 biodiesel volume rcquirement at reduced levels could havc severe impacts on 

the domestie biodiesel industry. Further, a continuation of'2013 levels paired with any reduction 

in advanccd biot'uels targets could sinzilarly negatively impact the industry. 

13iodiesel is the only I:nvironmental I'rotection Agency (I:;I'A)-designated advanced biofuel to 

achieve commercial-scale production nationwide anci the first to reach 1 billion gallons of annual 

production. Keeping the targets stagnant, rather than gradually allowing the biodiesel industry to 

grow, could lcave 400 million gallons of' biodiesel potentially unused — rouf;hly 25 percent. 

Such a cut coulcl result in nearly every small facility shutting down and permanently ceasing 

production of biodiesel, leading to the loss of'some 7,000 jobs. Additionally, investincnt and 

tinancing for the U.S. biodiesel irndustz•y cotild be severely jeopardized, creating new and 

possibly insurniountable lnirdles 1'or the remaining producers to brow and expand.
In setting 2014 targets lor biodiesel, the EPA should avoid outcomes that could lead to plant 

clostires, worker layoffs, and uncei-tainty over future investments in the biodiesel industry. We 

urge you to continue to support this fragile Lind growing indLIStry witli a i-easonable increase in 

the RFS volume requirement for 2014. 

Thank yoti for your consideration. 

Sincerely,

mlw^ 

Patty Murray 

Uniteate	e 

Al Franken 

United States Seiiate 

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United States Senate 

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United States Senate 

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United States Senate 

cc: The 1-lonorable 1-[oNvard Slielanski, Administrator, Office oP lnformation and Regulatory Afl'airs