WASHINGTON (October 20, 2017) — The American Soybean Association today applauded the many Senators and House members who signed letters to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt urging more robust volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and expressing concern with the EPA Notice of Data Availability (NODA) that contemplates reductions in biodiesel and advanced biofuels.

“The RFS has boosted the agriculture economy, increased commodity values, personal earnings, local and state tax revenues, and economic activities in rural communities across the country,” said American Soybean Association President Ron Moore, who farms in Roseville, Ill. “The RFS is a vital and successful program, and we’re encouraged by this show of bipartisan support for the RFS and the  American workers who rely on biodiesel and the rural communities where soybeans and biodiesel are produced.”

A special thanks goes to Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) for all of their efforts and Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) for leading the Senate letter. In the House, we appreciate the letter of support initiated by the Congressional Biofuels Caucus led by Reps. Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) and supported by many of our champions.

ASA also submitted comments in response to the EPA’s notice on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program: Standards for 2018 and Biomass Based Diesel Volume for 2019; Availability of Supplemental Information and Request for Further Comment, or Notice of Data Availability.

“ASA urges EPA to withdraw this ill-conceived notice and more appropriately increase biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels volumes in 2018-19 to reflect the real and proven potential of our farmers, biodiesel plants, and their rural communities,” the comments state.

You can access ASA’s full comments here.