YPSILANTI, MI – Gov. Kim Reynolds testified before the Environmental Protection Agency about the renewable fuel standard and its impact on Iowa farmers and our economy.
In her remarks, Reynolds pointed to worries among farmers, including “trade uncertainty, combined with attacks on the RFS, has increased angst throughout the countryside…our farmers need some positive news.”
Reynolds said that she was hopeful new EPA leadership will make sure the promises President Trump made as a candidate and as a newly elected leader to protect the RFS will stay intact.
“It’s time to end the domestic demand destruction by undermining of the RFS,” said Reynolds. “It’s time to open up the market for higher ethanol blends, E15 and above, to be sold year round.”
Reynolds also called out the EPA’s proposed RFS rule.
“…the EPA’s decision to grant numerous small-refinery waivers and to not reallocate those volumes as the law envisioned, undercuts the 15 million gallon level,” said Reynolds. “These small refinery waivers have created the backdoor destruction of the 1.5 billion gallons of ethanol demand.”
The Iowa governor was stern with her words toward EPA officials.
“That is not progress,” said Reynolds. “That is not the letter or spirit of the RFS. And that is not what President Trump promised the voters of Iowa.”
