A letter led by Senators Heitkamp (D-ND), Grassley (R-IA), Blunt (R-MO) and Murray (D-WA) to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy urges EPA to finalize the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements for biomass-based diesel for 2014, 2015, and 2016.  Thirty two Senators signed the letter urging EPA to get biodiesel back on schedule under the statutorily prescribed volume obligations process and quickly issue volumes for 2014 at the actual 2014 production numbers. They also cited the need to move forward on the 2015 and 2016 biodiesel volumes in a timely manner, ensuring that these delays do not become the norm for the industry.

The EPA has not yet finalized the 2014 RFS standards and announced recently that it would not do so until this year. Additionally, the 2015 standard for biodiesel is also now approximately one year late, and the 2016 standard should have been established by December 2014.

The letter also references the importance of EPA setting appropriate biodiesel volumes given their recent announcement that will streamline compliance requirements for biodiesel imported from Argentina. That approval will likely result in a significant increase in biodiesel imports from Argentina in coming years.

ASA appreciates the members and state soybean association staff that contacted their Senate offices in support of this letter. These contacts made an obvious and significant impact as the number of Senators signing onto the letter increased following those calls.