SENATORS DEMAND ANSWERS ABOUT PRIVATE MEETING WITH EPA ADMINISTRATOR AND TEXAS GOVERNOR

WASHINGTON – A coalition of U.S. Senators has pressed U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson for a meeting soon, prior to a decision on the Renewable Fuels Standard.

Recent press reports indicated that Texas Governor Rick Perry met behind closed doors with Administrator Johnson on July 9 to discuss his request for a waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The Senators said they "expect a fair and open decision-making process…that includes a good-faith consideration of all interested parties."

"The move toward renewable fuels is an important and necessary step to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of fuel and to strengthen our energy security. Nebraska companies are already investing in the production of cellulosic ethanol and other renewable fuels. A reversal of the goals set by the RFS would hurt them as well as the rest of Americans who will benefit from clean, domestic-produced sources of fuel. I want Administrator Johnson to explain his meeting with Governor Perry and its effect on EPA decisions regarding the RFS," said Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE).

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	Press Release	July 18, 2008
SENATORS DEMAND ANSWERS ABOUT PRIVATE MEETING WITH EPA ADMINISTRATOR AND TEXAS GOVERNOR WASHINGTON – A coalition of U.S. Senators has pressed U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson for a meeting soon, prior to a decision on the Renewable Fuels Standard. Recent press reports indicated that Texas Governor Rick Perry met behind closed doors with Administrator Johnson on July 9 to discuss his request for a waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The Senators said they "expect a fair and open decision-making process…that includes a good-faith consideration of all interested parties." "The move toward renewable fuels is an important and necessary step to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of fuel and to strengthen our energy security. Nebraska companies are already investing in the production of cellulosic ethanol and other renewable fuels. A reversal of the goals set by the RFS would hurt them as well as the rest of Americans who will benefit from clean, domestic-produced sources of fuel. I want Administrator Johnson to explain his meeting with Governor Perry and its effect on EPA decisions regarding the RFS," said Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE). ###