United States Senator Deb Fischer, Republican from Nebraska, voiced strong criticism against the Biden administration's biofuel policy and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) power plant regulations during a recent Appropriations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill.
Senator Fischer's concerns primarily revolved around the administration's utilization of the newly-released GREET model, short for “greenhouse gasses, regulated emissions and energy use in technologies,” which assesses environmental impacts across supply chains. Fischer accused the updated model of potentially favoring foreign feedstocks like Brazilian sugarcane ethanol over domestically-produced biofuels, which she argued could disadvantage American farmers and biofuel producers.
“In Nebraska, we're a total public power state. And we're seeing a dramatic increase in electric demand because of increased economic development, which is a good thing. We like to see that,” Fischer stated during the hearing. “But, she added, many public power districts and electric co-ops in her state have expressed concern that EPA's rule jeopardizes affordability and reliability by foreseeing the premature closure of coal-powered plants.”
Administrator Michael Regan of the EPA defended the agency's approach, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in compliance with the Clean Air Act. “Our role in the interagency, focused on updating the GREET Model, was to ensure that we gave all farmers options to comply with the Clean Air Act,” Regan stated. “So, what I think you'll see with this updated model, and what I've heard farmers say, is that there's more flexibility in how this model is going to determine the outputs to ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act.”
Regan also addressed concerns regarding the EPA's power plant regulations, asserting that the proposed rule offers flexibility and expansion based on public comments received during the rulemaking process. “I believe that not only did we listen, but we produced a lawful rule,” Regan remarked. “And so, I believe that not only did we listen, but we produced a lawful rule. I'm sure that the courts and others will decide. But, when you look at the work that we've done with the Department of Energy and the Federal Electric Regulatory Commission, and those who specialize in grid reliability, this meets the mark.”
Senator Fischer, however, remained unconvinced, highlighting opposition from Nebraska's public power districts and electric co-ops due to concerns over potential adverse effects on electric generation affordability. “With all due respect,” Fischer responded. “I would say our Nebraska Public Power Districts and co-ops — again, public power — they're opposed to the regulations because they do believe it's going to really hurt our affordable electric generation.”
