FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2017

Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106
ajerome@nfudc.org

WASHINGTON – Following a recent set of proposals by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to weaken the nation’s premier renewable fuels law, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), National Farmers Union and 10 prominent biofuel organizations are calling on the administration to honor its commitment to the law, the biofuels industry and to rural America.

“We commend your commitment to reinvigorate economic growth in America’s heartland,” noted the groups in a letter to President Trump. “The biofuels industry is poised to lead the next manufacturing wave across America. However, we are concerned about the EPA’s consideration of drastic, unprecedented changes to the RFS that would undercut investments in the production of American-made biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. The proposed changes are inconsistent with the law and threaten the growth and prosperity of the U.S. biofuels industry.”

The proposed changes refer to a July EPA proposal to reduce the amount of renewable fuels that are obligated to be blended into the U.S. transportation sector next year. In late September, the agency proposed even further cuts to advanced biofuels and total renewable fuel volume obligations under the RFS for 2018.

“If the proposed changes are finalized, EPA’s actions would cause severe harm to our industry, undermining your efforts to drive economic growth and secure America’s status as the global leader in biofuel production,” the groups said. “We urge you to act quickly to continue to grow the RFS.”

The groups noted that EPA’s proposed changes are inconsistent with both EPA Administrator Pruitt’s assurances to uphold the law and the President’s long-standing support for ethanol and the RFS.

“American family farmers and rural communities are looking to the President to follow through on his promises to support and advance American-grown and produced biofuels,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “At a time when farming and rural communities are dealing with tremendous economic hardship – exacerbated by burdensome grain supplies – it’s imperative we do everything we can to grow the American biofuel industry. NFU will continue to work towards expanded markets for higher blends of ethanol and advanced biofuels, and we’d like to have the President on our side.”

To read the full text of the letter, click here.

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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 has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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