FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2018
Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106
[email protected]
WASHINGTON – The Trump Administration today finalized 2019 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), setting the amount of renewable fuels that need to be blended in the transportation fuel supply at 19.92 billion gallons. The rule maintains the current 15-million-gallon target for corn ethanol and increases cellulosic and advanced biofuel requirements by 130 million gallons and 630 million gallons, respectively.
The 2019 mandate tracked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) July proposal, which ignored the billions of gallons of lost biofuel demand that resulted from EPA handing out hardship waivers to oil refiners. National Farmers Union (NFU), a staunch proponent of biofuels and higher blends of ethanol, was deeply disappointed by the news. NFU President Roger Johnson released the following statement in response to the rule:
“President Trump’s numerous assurances to American family farmers to support the biofuels industry and increase demand for farm products continue to fall short at the hands of EPA.
“Today, EPA set biofuels requirements that completely ignore the 2.25 billion gallons of lost demand for U.S. farm products that resulted from their own handouts to oil refiners. The decision to exempt refiners from complying with the RFS, coupled with today’s decision not to make up for the lost demand, leaves farmers at a significant net loss under the current administration.
“This rule is not keeping with Congress’ intent with the RFS, which is to drive investment in American grown biofuels. In addition to ignoring lost demand for ethanol, the EPA has provided far too low obligations for advanced biofuels. These businesses need to believe they have the opportunity to create a profitable company in order for them to expand production and utilize more American grown fuels.
“So long as EPA continues to ignore its own mishandling of the RFS waivers, it will continue to undermine the will of Congress, directly contradict President Trump’s promises, and destroy American family farmers’ ability to expand demand for their products.”
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To download an audio file of Roger Johnson’s quote, visit our website at nfu.org/audio.
About NFU
National Farmers Union advocates on behalf of nearly 200,000 American farm families and their communities. We envision a world in which farm families and their communities are respected, valued, and enjoy economic prosperity and social justice.
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