Several of Iowa’s elected officials released statements Monday regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s final Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume obligation levels for 2014, 2015 and 2016.
According to the EPA, the final requirements will boost renewable fuel production and provide for robust, achievable growth of the biofuels industry. Information is available on the EPA’s website.
Comments from Gov Terry Branstad and Lt Gov Kim Reynolds, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, and Sen Chuck Grassley follow:
Gov Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov Kim Reynolds –
“I am extremely disappointed that the EPA’s final decision failed to follow the renewable volume levels set by Congress,” said Branstad. “Unfortunately, today’s decision shows the lack of interest in providing consumers choice at the pump, creating jobs and increasing incomes in Rural America, and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. This rule falls far too short of a robust RFS and short of the standards set by Congress.”
“This entire process has negatively impacted Iowa families through reduced commodity prices, farm incomes, and farmland values,” said Reynolds. “We were hopeful that the EPA would fully recognize the importance of renewable fuels after years of regulatory uncertainty. However, the EPA’s decision only marginally improves volume levels in a step that will hurt Iowa families, businesses, and farmers.”
The State of Iowa has supported both the production and use of biofuels, including renewable fuel infrastructure development through the Fueling Our Future Program and the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program, to ensure that consumers have true choices at the pump.
Branstad and Reynolds have been engaged in calling for a strong and robust Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) over the past two years.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey – “This announcement is extremely disappointing. There is no reason for EPA to ignore the law and lower the amount of renewable energy included in the nation’s fuel supply. We need a strong RFS to encourage retailers to invest in the infrastructure necessary to make renewable fuels available to customers. With the low price of corn and beans, now is the time to grow the renewable fuels industry, not undermine it. Unfortunately, this continues the pattern by EPA in recent years to give in to the demands of Big Oil rather than stand up for clean-burning, home-grown renewable fuels.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa has urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise and increase its proposed volume obligations for renewable biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014, 2015 and 2016. After hearing from Grassley and other senators, the EPA released a final rule Nov. 30 that improves the volume requirements over its last proposal but still underestimates the capacity for farmers and ethanol and biodiesel producers to generate enough renewable fuel to meet higher goals. Grassley made the following comment on the final rule.
“This rule is a slight improvement but it still sells biofuels short. The EPA just doesn’t appreciate that farmers and biofuels producers can generate enough renewable fuels to meet the goals set by Congress. The EPA doesn’t seem to appreciate that the law on the books requires strong biofuels targets and that consumers like the chance to use alternate fuels.
“Instead, the EPA took a flawed approach that seems to buy into Big Oil’s rhetoric. The new rule is not only more than two years late, but it also sets back the development of next generation biofuels. This rule undermines the efforts to commercialize the next generation of biofuels. It’s unfortunate that this Administration, which claims to be for renewable and clean energy, would stand in the way of the production and use of more renewable fuels.”
