Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule regarding Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2020 “creates unnecessary uncertainty in our markets,” and is “detrimental to so many across rural America.”
The EPA proposal did not follow a request from the biofuels industry. Naig calls the rule flawed, adding, “We must continue to work together to hold the EPA accountable for ensuring the 15 billion gallons mandated by the Renewable Fuel Standard are met.”
He made additional calls to invest in biofuels infrastructure. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship administers the Iowa Renewable Fuel Infrastructure program, which offers cost-share grants to help fuel retailers install infrastructure to increase the availability of ethanol and biodiesel.
Secretary Naig has requested $3 million in the fiscal year 2021 to continue supporting the program.
To date, the program has distributed or obligated over $33 million, with $200 million added in private economic activity.
