Trump Tells Iowa Audience Administration ‘Very Close’ to Year-Round E15
Source: By Todd Neeley, Progressive Farmer • Posted: Friday, July 27, 2018
The president’s comments come during the same week EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a press interview that E15 approval would need to be part of a package deal that gives something to oil industry interests. It isn’t the first time the idea of a package deal came about. Such a deal was expected to occur following one of several White House meetings with industry officials and lawmakers, but was killed at the last minute.
Part of that deal was an idea to attach renewable identification numbers, or RINs, to exported ethanol gallons as a way to reduce refiner costs to comply with the Renewable Fuels Standard.
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw said in a press statement on Thursday that he appreciates Trump’s reiteration for the need for year-round E15.
“We are encouraged President Trump once again has expressed support for removing antiquated regulatory barriers to the year-round use of E15. More importantly, he did so today outside the context of some kind of ‘deal’ to help refiners,” Dinneen said. “Refiners are doing quite fine today, seeing record profits and unprecedented exports. Farmers are not. Farmers are suffering from unfair trade barriers and chronically low commodity prices. Farmers need relief now in the form of increased market opportunities. E15 year-round would do that. EPA should abandon efforts to tie consumer choice on ethanol to some kind of additional relief for refiners already benefiting from Scott Pruitt’s demand destruction campaign and initiate an E15 regulatory reform rule today.”
Growth Energy Chief Executive Officer Emily Skor said, “Increased access to U.S. markets will provide America’s farmers with some financial confidence, and we hope that President Trump will direct the EPA to act quickly to provide year-round RVP relief.” Growth Energy is running a television spot asking Trump to uphold his promise to farmers by allowing the sale of E15 year-round.
Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com
Follow me on Twitter @toddneeleyDTN