Contacts:
IRFA: Cassidy Walter
515-322-0435

ICGA: Brandi Strautman
515-225-9242

IFBF: Andrew Wheeler
515-225-5414

IRFA, ICGA, and IFBF Submit Comments to EPA on E15 Labeling and Underground Storage Tank Compatibility

JOHNSTON, IOWA – Today, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), and Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) jointly submitted regulatory comments to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan expressing the urgency of EPA’s proposed rulemaking for E15 Fuel Dispenser Labeling and Compatibility with Underground Storage Tanks. Together the Iowa agricultural organizations released the following statement:

“Iowa leads the nation in both corn and ethanol production and growing the market for E15 is crucial to our state’s economic, agricultural, energy and environmental future. Regulatory changes have the potential to accelerate the commercial expansion of E15, which is the most immediate, available, and affordable path to carbon reduction in the transportation sector. While the proposed rule is a good start, the bottom line is that it does not go far enough. We want to help elevate it by knocking down unnecessary regulatory barriers that would prevent E15 commercial growth and stifle carbon reduction as a result.  We thank EPA for its consideration of our recommendations, and we stand ready to work with the Agency and the Biden Administration on this and other climate solutions going forward.”

Among the key items addressed in the comments, ICGA, IFBF, and IRFA recommended that EPA’s E15 label requirement be modernized and modified in a manner that is simple, informational, and factual, while eliminating language and elements that are speculative, confusing, or threatening. Additionally, the groups called on EPA to revise its regulations to clarify that all existing underground storage tank equipment is “deemed compatible” with ethanol blends up to E15.

To read the full letter, click here.

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 410 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org.

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is a 7,500-member strong grassroots-driven organization, headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, serving members across the state, and lobbying on agricultural issues on behalf of its farmer members to create opportunities for long-term Iowa corn grower profitability. For more information, visit iowacorn.org.

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is the largest statewide, grassroots farm organization in Iowa, celebrating 100 years of creating a vibrant future for agriculture, farm families and their communities.  For more information, visit www.iowafarmbureau.com/. 

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