EPA's RVO Ruling Hurts America's Heartland

DES MOINES, Iowa (Dec. 19, 2019) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig issued the following statement in response to the EPA’s final rule on the Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for 2020 and biomass-based diesel volume for 2021.

“I’m disappointed the EPA chose to ignore the concerns voiced by renewable fuels producers, farmers and consumers. The flawed formula used to account for waived gallons creates unnecessary uncertainty in our markets, detrimental to so many across rural America,” said Secretary Naig. “We must continue to work together to hold the EPA accountable for ensuring the 15 billion gallons mandated by the Renewable Fuels Standard are met. We must also continue to invest in infrastructure that builds demand and increases the availability of higher blends of biodiesel and ethanol across the state of Iowa.”

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship administers the Iowa Renewable Fuel Infrastructure program, which offers cost-share grants to help fuel retailers install infrastructure to increase the availability of ethanol and biodiesel. Secretary Naig has requested $3 million in the fiscal year 2021 to continue supporting the program. To date, the program has distributed or obligated over $33 million with $200 million added in private economic activity. This translates to every dollar invested in Renewable Fuel Infrastructure funding, nearly six dollars of private investment has resulted.