WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) joined Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) in demanding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raise 2024 and 2025 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels. The agency last year set RVOs at levels that fail to align with market conditions and production outlook; already, this has contributed to biodiesel plant closures in the Midwest, including in Carroll County, Iowa.
In a letter to President Biden and EPA Administrator Michael Regan, the lawmakers wrote:
“Not only does biodiesel provide economic benefits for rural communities and farmers, but it has also been shown to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to a life cycle analysis completed by the Argonne National Laboratory using the GREET model, 100 percent biodiesel reduces emissions 74 percent compared to petroleum diesel.
“For the biomass-based diesel industry to continue to grow, it needs certainty and predictability, and this requires RVOs that adequately reflect the growth potential of biomass-based diesel production.”
Background:
Since he helped establish the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Grassley has worked to ensure the executive branch implements it as intended. Last year, he and his bipartisan colleagues wrote the Biden administration regarding a number of rules it issued under the program. Among the proposals they urged the Biden administration to revise were the unrealistic RVOs Grassley, Feenstra and Ernst are now pressing EPA to change.
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