Reynolds, Grassley, and Ernst to EPA: Uphold Renewable Fuel Standards

DES MOINES, Iowa – Governor Kim Reynolds, along with U.S. Senators Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, have submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on their proposed supplemental rule on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). 

The three Iowa leaders sent a clear, consistent message for EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler: uphold the RFS and provide certainty to Iowa farmers and biofuels producers that 15 billion gallons means 15 billion gallons. All three of these Iowa elected officials sent their public comments in the form of letters directly to Administrator Wheeler.

Reynolds wrote: “I was proud to support the deal President Trump brokered in the Oval Office on September 12, and left with the understanding that the EPA would reallocate waived gallons based on a three-year rolling average of actual exemptions. A week later, I was very disappointed to learn that the EPA had re-interpreted what was agreed to. The proposed rule reallocates gallons based on Department of Energy (DOE) recommendations, not actual waived gallons, which offer no accountability or transparency, and may very well fall short of the 15 billion gallon blending commitment. … These rules have a real and tangible impact on the people of Iowa and across the country. Rural communities in Iowa, like Crawfordsville, Emmetsburg, Merrill and Sioux Center, are especially feeling the effects first-hand. These communities have had to endure the shuttering of biofuels facilities, a detrimental blow that is a direct result of the EPA’s actions.” Read Governor Reynolds’ full letter here.

In her letter, Ernst wrote: “Plain and simple, if the market for biofuels does not trust EPA to implement the proposal President Trump negotiated, the market will not make investments in biofuels – a dangerous spiral for our industry which will only lead to more plants closed and jobs lost in the heartland…it is time again for the EPA to get this policy right, respect the President’s intent, and uphold the law as it was written. This means providing certainty that they will ensure that 15 billion gallons of ethanol will be blended each year.” Read Senator Ernst’s full letter here.

Grassley said, “As the number one producer of corn, ethanol, biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol, the renewable fuels industry is an important sector of Iowa’s economy. It generates nearly $5 billion of Iowa’s GDP, over $2.4 billion in household incomes and supports 47,000 jobs across Iowa. President Trump made a commitment to Iowa and other biofuels producing states, and I look forward to seeing this promise fulfilled. The EPA shouldn’t undercut President Trump’s support of the Renewable Fuels Standard. I urge EPA to adjust the proposed supplemental rule to account for actual waived gallons using hard data from past practice to provide certainty to the marketplace.” Read Grassley’s full letter here.