Plummeting demand due to reduced travel during the COVID-19 pandemic compounded the many flaws with the Renewable Fuel Standard and strained some in the petroleum industry to the breaking point. Even with light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, lawmakers should learn from the experience and replace the broken RFS with an energy strategy that is good for the economy, the environment, and consumers alike.

The RFS has not brought promised environmental benefits. A large part of the reason is that advanced biofuel development failed to meet the pace anticipated by the law’s drafters, which should come as no surprise to those who understand that politicians are not blessed with special market insight.