FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2020
Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737
hpackman@nfudc.org
WASHINGTON – With just hours until the statutory deadline, the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has still not issued its 2021 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), raising concerns that the RVOs will not be updated until the next administration takes office.
A strong proponent of biofuels for their economic and environment benefits, National Farmers Union (NFU) was disappointed by the news, particular as it comes at the end of an already challenging year for the industry. In a statement, NFU President Rob Larew condemned EPA’s inaction and pressed the agency to rethink its approach.
“By punting a decision on 2021’s RVOS to the next administration, EPA is introducing yet more uncertainty to the biofuels industry – uncertainty that most farmers and biofuels producers can’t afford right now. Despite promising again and again to uphold RFS, the Trump administration has consistently undermined the program with its misappropriation of small refinery exemptions, preferential treatment of oil corporations, and disregard for its legal responsibility to restore lost demand, all of which has cost America’s farmers and biofuel producers dearly. To add insult to injury, fuel use – and, consequently, ethanol use – has dropped significantly during the pandemic, cutting deeply into profits.
“Trump’s EPA has almost invariably fallen short in its handling of biofuels, and today’s decision, or lack thereof, is no different. We sincerely hope Biden’s EPA learns from their mistakes and takes biofuels policy in a much more promising direction.”
###
About NFU
National Farmers Union advocates on behalf of nearly 200,000 American farm families and their communities. We envision a world in which farm families and their communities are respected, valued, and enjoy economic prosperity and social justice.
Stay Connected
Look for us online at NFU.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.