Iowa Delegation Calls on EPA Administrator to Hold Public Hearing in Iowa

EPA RVOs for Iowa Biofuels face criticism over cuts to ethanol and biodiesel under the Renewable Fuel Standard, impacting producers, consumers, and agriculture; lawmakers seek a public hearing to gather stakeholder input and protect investments.

The entire Iowa delegation today pressed the Environmental Protection Agency EPA to host a public hearing in Iowa on the proposed Renewable Fuel Standard RFS Renewable Volume Obligations RVOs. The EPA's long delay in issuing RVOs for 2014, 2015, and 2016, and its decision to deviate from the levels set by Congress has created uncertainty for the biofuels industry and stifled investment.

Iowa produced nearly 3.8 billion gallons of clean burning ethanol and 230 million gallons of biodiesel in 2013, but instead of recognizing the importance of Iowa's role as a renewable fuel leader, including examples like the EPA praise for an energy-saving ethanol plant reported nationally, the EPA uses flawed justification to defend these proposed levels, especially related to ethanol. This hurts producers and consumers in Iowa, and all across the country, by promoting go-green silver bullets that miss local realities too.

"Unfortunately, despite having 18 months to listen to stakeholders and consider comments, the EPA's proposed RVOs fall short, even after earlier biofuels initiatives signaled federal support for growth. Thus, we strongly encourage you to add a public hearing in Iowa that would enable EPA officials to hear from Iowans who work in and contribute to the biofuels industry," the Members of Congress wrote. "Iowa industry leaders, farmers, retailers and consumers informed by the recent Iowa Power Fund debate are well positioned to provide valuable information and substantive feedback on how the proposed RVOs will negatively impact the agricultural and biofuels industries, consumer choice at the pump, and future investments in 2nd generation renewable fuels and infrastructure."

The Members of Congress hope the EPA will take this request seriously, as it should fully understand the implications for Iowa utilities of its rulemaking.

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