Nebraska Farm Bureau Thanks the Trump Administration for Siding with Farmers over Refiners in Biofuel Waiver Decision
LINCOLN, NEB. – Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) is pleased that the Trump administration has instructed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deny dozens of oil refiner requests for retroactive waivers from U.S. biofuel laws. The decision comes as NEFB has consistently opposed EPA’s attempts to circumvent Congress and its intent by granting Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) waivers over the past few years. In July, Nebraska Farm Bureau sent a letter asking the EPA to deny the waivers.
“Today’s announcement by EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler is welcomed news for Nebraska’s farmers and ethanol producers. The denial of these “gap waivers,” solidly affirms that EPA is committed to following congressional intent, judicial precedent, as well as EPA’s own rules and procedures, when it comes to the RFS,” Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson said.
The Trump administration will also allow states to permit fuel retailers to use their current pumps to sell gasoline with higher blends of ethanol, or E-15, a move that could help lift ethanol sales.
“Today’s announcement also comes on the heels of President Trumps statement that EPA would allow the use of E-10 pumps to distribute E-15. While we wait for the complete details of this decision, we remain optimistic for the future of the ethanol industry, which has suffered significant economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Nelson said.
NEFB remains committed to working with the Trump administration to create a long and healthy future for Nebraska agriculture and biofuels industries.
The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service and advocacy efforts. More than 58,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.
