WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former Sen. Jim Talent today launched a new group aimed at building and expanding support for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Americans for Energy Security and Innovation (AESI) will focus its efforts on building support for a stronger RFS to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil from unfriendly nations and stimulate domestic innovation and economic development in the biofuels sector.

The RFS has been successful policy over the past decade — with 10% of the nation’s fuel supply now coming from cost-competitive biofuels. The industry has also created more than 850,000 well-paying jobs in rural America and across the country. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took a step backward this May when it proposed the annual blending targets to lower levels than were intended when the RFS was enacted into law. These proposed standards jeopardize the already frozen $13.7 billion in existing investments in advanced biofuels, while threatening to ship future investments — and jobs — overseas.

AESI will work to create an environment to prevent regulations and restrictions to the renewable fuel industry by increasing support and mobilizing elected officials to support our efforts.

About AESI

Americans for Energy Security and Innovation supports homegrown, renewable energy and a stronger Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and stimulate domestic innovation and economic development. For more information, visit www.usaenergy.org,