WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) program for 2018.
“The EPA’s proposed renewable volume obligations under the RFS program is a mixed bag. While I’m glad the EPA’s proposal holds steady the requirement of 15 billion gallons for conventional ethanol, the lack of any increase for biodiesel is a missed opportunity. The proposal fails to recognize the ability of the domestic biodiesel industry to produce at much higher levels. The proposed cut to advanced and cellulosic fuels will have a chilling effect on the push toward next generation biofuels, and will certainly harm investments in this area. The biofuel industry is good for the economy, good for the environment and good for national security. It supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, is cleaner-burning and reduces U.S. dependence on foreign oil. I am disappointed in the direction of these proposed volumes, and I hope the EPA will consider increasing these levels once stakeholders weigh in.”
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