In a letter to seven senators sent late Thursday, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt took significant strides toward strengthening the foundation for ethanol and renewable fuels. The Administrator emphasized his commitment to implementing renewable fuel volumes at or above levels proposed, as well as to examining the Agency’s authority to fix regulations that currently limit the year-round sale of E15 and higher ethanol blends. Administrator Pruitt also said the Agency would not pursue regulations to change the treatment of RINs relative to ethanol exports, a proposal that would have undermined the integrity of the RFS and our exports.
“NCGA greatly appreciates the leadership of these seven senators to make renewable fuels a priority,” said Kevin Skunes, NCGA president. “Their advocacy for farmers, rural communities and renewable fuels, as well as the advocacy of other Members of Congress who joined recent Senate and House letters to EPA, helped ensure EPA understood our concerns and agreed to pull back on proposals under consideration in recent weeks.”
“NCGA is grateful to Administrator Pruitt for taking the senators’ concerns seriously, listening to their views and the views of those they represent, and spelling out specific actions to uphold the RFS,” said Skunes. “We appreciate Administrator Pruitt’s assurance that EPA will act in a manner consistent with the RFS and welcome the opportunity to continue working with him to protect our environment, improve regulatory implementation, and strengthen markets for renewable fuels that benefit consumers, farmers and our environment.”