Iowa biodiesel producers, soybean farmers welcome plan to restore integrity to the RFS

Biofuels, ag leaders unite over halting Small Refinery Exemptions

ANKENY, Iowa – The Iowa Biodiesel Board joined other renewable fuel and farm advocates today in thanking the president for directing the Environmental Protection Agency to properly account for future small refinery exemptions in annual Renewable Fuel Standard rules.

Grant Kimberley, Iowa Biodiesel Board executive director and Iowa Soybean Association director of market development, issued the following statement:

“We thank the president for listening to rural America and the biofuels industry in addressing the issue of small refinery exemptions in the Renewable Fuel Standard. It’s a significant move towards restoring the integrity of the program. Facing a fragile farm economy and with at least one Iowa biodiesel plant having closed its doors, the president’s commitment is welcome relief, and we urge the EPA to act swiftly and earnestly in carrying out his agenda.

“As we face continued tax policy uncertainty and ongoing trade disputes, the biodiesel industry depends upon the RFS program in planning for market access and growth more than ever. Addressing the fast leak of lost gallons from future exemptions is very helpful, but we still look forward to working with the Administration on additional growth in gallons of biomass-based diesel in 2021.

“This positive news is possible largely thanks to the unwavering commitment to biofuels from Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, as well as Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. We again owe them our gratitude for standing up for rural America.”

Biodiesel is an advanced biofuel made from diverse agricultural byproducts and co-products, such as soybean oil. The Iowa Biodiesel Board is a state trade association representing the biodiesel industry.