IRFA Urges Biden Administration to Separate the Good from the Bad

Contact: Cassidy Walter
515-322-0435

JOHNSTON, IOWA – Today the EPA announced it was proposing a rule for public comment that covered unresolved biofuels issues ranging from requests for Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) waivers, to delaying RFS compliance deadlines, to possible changes to labeling and infrastructure requirements for E15 retailers.

In response, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw made the following Statement:

“While the wording in today’s announcement appears to rule out the granting of further illegal RFS exemptions as had been rumored this week, we will remain vigilant until the clock strikes noon on January 20. Ultimately this multifaceted rule will be adjudicated by the Biden EPA and we are ready to work with them to improve and finalize the portions of this rule that follow the law, make common sense, and increase access to biofuels.

“The unfounded requests by oil state governors for general RFS waivers should have been rejected months ago and the RFS compliance deadline extensions are similarly troublesome. But some good could come from today’s proposals to improve or, preferably, eliminate altogether, the mandatory federal E15 label. Perhaps even more importantly is the small step included that recognizes that much of the existing fueling infrastructure is compatible with E15 blends, even if current regulations don’t recognize it as such. Eliminating this unnecessary barrier to market access for E15 would be a true game changer, but today’s rule does not go far enough. We will now turn our focus to making our case to the Biden Administration. Biofuels producers are ready to work alongside the new leadership to build a cleaner, brighter future as there is much work left to be done to expand market access to higher blends of biofuels.”

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association represents the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production with 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing 4.5 billion gallons annually – including 34 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity – and 11 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce over 400 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org.

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