Although most of the year has already passed, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency still hasn’t made a final decision on the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard.
Last November, the EPA proposed lowering the required consumption of both biodiesel and ethanol in the United States by more than a billion gallons. The proposed changes sparked outrage among renewable fuel producers, supporters, environmentalist and Iowa lawmakers.
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, (R-Iowa), labeled the proposed changes to the RFS as a war against corn, and U.S. Rep. Steve King, (R-Iowa), called it an attack on Iowa’s “Holy Grail.”
The EPA originally stopped accepting public comment on the matter on Jan. 30, but has delayed its decision on the RFS several times throughout the course of the year. In August, it opened the matter up for public comment again, which wrapped up early last week.
While the EPA has been mum on the matter publicly, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack hinted that the White House supported increasing the use of renewable fuels, specifically ethanol during a speaking engagement last Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
“I’m very positive about this industry despite the challenges, despite the issues,” Vilsack said. “I want you to know that I’m committed, that the administration is committed. You cannot let one decision ... slow the process down.”
Iowa is the country’s top producer of corn and soybeans — two key components in making renewable fuels — and leads the nation in renewable fuel production. The state has more than 40 ethanol refineries and a dozen biodiesel plants — including the REG plant in Newton.
Earlier this year REG plant, which provides more than 20 local jobs, broke ground on a $13.2 million expansion to its Newton location.
In addition, a number of local gas stations offer ethanol blends and biodiesel including Kountry Korner in Baxter, and both Love’s Travel Stop and Murphy USA in Newton.
The EPA hasn’t said when it will make its final ruling on the RFS. If the changes the EPA originally drafted are approved, ethanol production requirements would be curved from 14.4 billion to 13 billion gallons, and biodiesel would dip from 2 billion to 1.28 billion gallons.
Contact Senior Staff Writer Ty Rushing at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6532 or at trushing@newtondailynews.com.