There was much angst earlier this week as the soybean and biofuels industries were waiting for the EPA to release its finalized Renewable Volume Obligations for biodiesel. The concern came after the EPA had previously shared its plan, and it prompted a comment period in which stakeholders weighed in on the effects these low numbers will have on farmers, local economies, and our product value.
To make matters a little more complicated, the EPA decided to hold off their announcement for another week, releasing the data on June 21st. That means the anxiety can stick around a little bit longer. I had the chance to talk with Iowa Senator Joni Ernst yesterday and I asked her if she has gotten any kind of indication that EPA will change their mind. She responded the agency has been ?radio silent? on the matter, and that is unnerving.
Ernst says she is disheartened that the Administration is still putting all its eggs in one basket while they push for a cleaner environment, an idea that she says she shares. Ernst adds that only having one option that is still not viable in the short-term, rather than looking at options already established.
Ernst is hopeful that the EPA will see the common sense of taking advantage of what is here now. Even if electrified vehicles is the way the future plays out, it?s going to take time to upgrade fleets. Biofuels are here now.
