U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and the Iowa delegation called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday to propose 2017 ethanol and 2018 biodiesel Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) that are consistent with enacted law.
In a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, the delegation, led by Rep. David Young (R-IA), called for the EPA to use 2016 as an opportunity to put the RFS back on track and highlighted Iowa’s role as the nation’s premier renewable fuels producer. The critical need for the RFS was also highlighted in the letter, which noted that the RFS works to provide consumers with fuel choices while increasing energy independence, boosting rural economies and protecting the environment.
“Our agricultural base in Iowa, serving as feedstock for ethanol and biodiesel production, has near record supplies of excess corn,” the letter said. “In addition, low oil prices spurred surging fuel demand and large retailers of gasoline are embracing higher ethanol blends. Furthermore, the United States is importing record amounts of foreign biodiesel from countries like Argentina and Canada, despite growing domestic capacity.
“Because of these reasons, the EPA should announce a 2017 level for conventional biofuels at 15 billion gallons and set an aggressive biomass-based diesel level for 2018. We believe the statutory levels are more than achievable in the coming year.”
The letter was signed by Young and Ernst, as well as Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Reps. Rod Blum (R-IA), Steve King (R-IA) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA).