House Energy And Commerce Subcommittee Chair Cites TSCA Reform Among Top Priorities For 201

It has been reported that the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Energy and Power Chair John Shimkus (R-IL) has listed reform of the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) among his top priorities for 2014. Chair Shimkus has stated publicly that the House is still determining how best to draft and move TSCA reform legislation, but he expects a House TSCA reform bill to be introduced by the spring, with action on it likely next summer.

Chair Shimkus reportedly has also indicated that he expects no action on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in the House before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgates its 2014 RFS rule. The oil and gas industry has been advocating for legislative action to repeal the RFS in spite of EPA's proposed 2014 RFS rule that would reduce required volume obligations for cellulosic biofuels, as well as advanced biofuels and corn ethanol. The biofuels industry has argued that no legislative action is needed given EPA's regulatory flexibility to modify gallon requirements as needed under the law.