U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) joined a bipartisan, bicameral contingent of 46 colleagues in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize a rule on imported Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and to hold firm on the proposed biomass-based diesel volumes.
The EPA is proposing biomass-based diesel (BBD) volumes in its Set 2 proposal, which includes a 50-percent reduction in RINs for imported renewable fuels and fuels made from foreign feedstocks — known as Import RIN reduction, according to a Sept. 30 letter the lawmakers sent to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Among the lawmakers who joined Sen. Young in signing the letter were U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Jerry Moran (R-KS), while 34 congressmen also signed the letter, including U.S. Reps. Erin Houchin (R-IN), Rudy Yakym (R-IN), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Don Bacon (R-NE), Mike Bost (R-IL), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Ron Estes (R-KS), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Carol Miller (R-WV), and Adrian Smith (R-NE).
“The combination of the strong BBD volumes coupled with prioritizing U.S. feedstocks represents a common-sense approach that puts American farmers first, strengthens domestic biofuel markets, and delivers tangible economic benefits to rural communities,” wrote Sen. Young and his colleagues.
Such measures, they added, also would ensure the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) continues to strengthen American energy security and support both domestic farmers and domestic renewable fuel producers.
“At a time when many farmers are struggling to break even, all federal biofuels policies should prioritize domestic agriculture and biofuel production, not foreign fuels made from foreign feedstocks,” they wrote. “Additionally, while farmers face the uncertainty of foreign market demand, the Import RIN reduction would provide essential support for the farm economy so farmers could sell more products domestically.”
Sen. Young and his fellow lawmakers also pointed out that the Import RIN reduction aligns with congressional intent under the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, which prioritizes domestic feedstocks.
“Aligning EPA’s policy with this standard helps level the playing field for domestic feedstock and biofuel producers with imported feedstocks, such as Brazilian tallow and so called ‘used cooking oil’ from China, which would otherwise directly undercut U.S. energy, agriculture and manufacturing,” they wrote.
The EPA’s own analysis highlights the positive impact of the Import RIN proposal, saying it would create jobs and generate economic growth in farming, transportation, and manufacturing, particularly in rural communities, according to the letter.
“Finalizing the proposal would ensure the [RFS] delivers on its promises of strengthening U.S. energy security, supporting American farmers and domestic renewable fuel producers, and keeping investment and jobs here at home,” Sen. Young and his colleagues wrote.