Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today joined Governor Terry Branstad and the rest of the Iowa congressional delegation to host "Hearing in the Heartland: Supporting the Renewable Fuel Standard." Loebsack has been fighting to reverse the proposed renewable fuel volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) for 2014 since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced them last year. Last week, Loebsack met with EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to discuss this unacceptable proposal and has met with Iowa businesses who would be effected by this cut on his "Fueling Iowa's Economy" Tour.
Loebsack's statement, as prepared for delivery, is below.
To the Hearing in the Heartland attendees:
Thank you everyone for being here today to share your input on the proposed 2014 renewable fuels volume obligations (RVOs) for the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). I apologize that I can't join you all today, but look forward to helping gather comments from everyone here to share directly with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the White House.
Since the 2014 proposed RVOs were first leaked, I've been doing everything I can to hear the thoughts and concerns of Iowans and share them directly with the EPA and White House. I've held roundtables around eastern and southeastern Iowa at ethanol and biodiesel plants, and I've heard from farmers, rural communities, and industry from across Iowa. I've taken what I've heard right back to Washington to make sure the voices of Iowans are being heard.
I recently met directly with EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to voice these concerns and emphasize the devastating effects the 2014 proposed volumes would have on Iowa's economy, our rural communities, and any effort to continue to advance our biofuels industry. Additionally, I have spoken with other EPA officials and shared concerns with officials at the White House. I will continue to voice the concerns of Iowans to the Administration as the fight against the 2014 proposed volumes continues.
I strongly believe the RFS is working and is the right policy for Iowa, our farmers, our rural communities, energy security and independence, advancing the biofuels industry, giving consumers choices, and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. The RFS has helped advance us in all of these areas and promises to continue to move us forward. Our rural communities, farmers, and Iowa's economy should not have to solely bear the costs of the inflexibility of Big Oil to control the market and consumer choices.
I look forward to sharing the comments from all of you today with the EPA and White House, and I will continue emphasizing the devastating effects the proposed 2014 RFS volumes will have on Iowa's economy and jobs throughout the industry.
Sincerely,
Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District
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