Naig: ‘Iowa is the leading producer of renewable fuels and we must continue leading the fight to uphold the RFS’
DES MOINES, Iowa (March 31, 2021) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig joined Attorney General Tom Miller, Gov. Kim Reynolds and representatives from the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association and Iowa Renewable Fuels Association at a press conference held at the Iowa State Capitol today.
During the event, Attorney General Miller announced that Iowa is one of eight states that joined an amicus brief that was filed in the U.S. Supreme Court case HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC v. Renewable Fuels Association. The brief supports several renewable fuels and agricultural associations in their fight to uphold the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit’s ruling, which struck down the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to grant a number of small refinery exemptions. In January 2020, the Tenth Circuit Court determined EPA lacked the authority to grant the previously issued exemptions.
Secretary Naig gave the following remarks during the press conference:
“I’m very proud to stand here today with all of you in support of the renewable fuels industry and our hard-working farmers. I want to start by thanking Attorney General Miller and Governor Reynolds for leading this important bipartisan, multi-state effort.
The renewable fuels industry plays a critical role in our state’s economy and workforce. Ethanol and biodiesel provide value-added markets for our farmers, jobs and economic activity for Iowa communities, and more affordable, cleaner-burning fuels for drivers at the pumps.
Iowa is the leading producer of corn and renewable fuels, and the second-largest producer of soybeans, so it stands to reason that we must also be the leading advocate for this important industry.
The EPA has a responsibility to support and promote renewable fuels and must continue to hold them accountable for upholding the Renewable Fuels Standard.
And at the state level, we need to continue investing in infrastructure to offer higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel to consumers and do what we can to increase demand for renewable fuels.”
Attorney Generals from Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota and Virginia also joined the amicus brief. The case is scheduled to be argued before the Supreme Court on April 27.