The Renewable Fuels Association today thanked Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), and 47 other members of the House and Senate, who called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reallocate all waived renewable fuel volumes from recently approved small refinery exemptions.
“At a dire time for the US agricultural economy, we thank these senators and representatives for their hard work to ensure that the Renewable Fuel Standard is enforced as intended,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “They recognize the importance of a strong RFS program and the role that renewable fuels have in attaining American energy independence and dominance, while supporting the family farms that help keep our nation’s biorefineries running. We’re grateful for their leadership and collaboration.”
In earlier testimony to the EPA, Cooper also stressed the importance of reallocation. “Without reallocating 100 percent of the exempted volumes, the volumes originally proposed cannot be achieved and any final volumes will be illusory."
The lawmakers write: “As EPA considers its supplemental proposal, we urge the agency to fully reallocate 100% of the waived gallons for compliance years 2023–2025. Without full restoration the benefits of the original proposal won’t reach the farm gate or lower prices at the pump. Farmers and rural businesses will ultimately bear the brunt of weakened demand and lower prices.”
