Lawmakers give an Update on Year Round E-15

October 15,2018 Washington On Capitol hill, the White Houses’ announcement on year round e-15 won praise on both sides of the aisle, though some regional differences remain. RFD-TV’s Sarah Mock has more Lawmakers say in a trying season for ag and rural communities, year round e15 is a ray of hope. “It’s a great product, good for the environment, good for corn producers, good for consumers. So it shows that yes, there’s optimism out there because we’re moving in the right direction finally.” “Our ethanol plants in Nebraska, we have 25, they employ 1300 staff, employees. So those are good, high paying jobs. That helps our corn producers.” Farm state republicans and democrats are applauding the president’s effort to permit year round e15 sales, which trump and others have touted as a win-win-win for biofuel advocates, refiners, and consumers. “With the refineries, I think that’s just going to a blip on their radar, because it’s just going to cover another three months were we can sell E15, it’s important to note that consumers are going to have little more clarity when they go to the pump.” AG Secretary Sonny Perdue says the move is also in line with the president’s deregulatory goals. He also cited the 80% decline in the price of renewable fuel credits in recent months is an existing win for the petroleum industry, who have already suggested they may seek legal action to stop this change. A key aspect of the oil-biofuel dispute, the waivers EPA granted to small refiners, won’t be solved by the e15 action, though lawmakers say they find wheeler’s approach more satisfying than pruitt’s. “My objection that I saw with the waivers that were given to the small refineries were more with the process, and how the previous administrator did not seem to involve all the stakeholders in his decision making on it.” Fischer says ensuring transparency in the RINs market is a key concern of the president’s—she says she’ll be keeping a close eye on those efforts as rule-making begins. “We want to make sure we get this out here for next summer, but first of all the President is going to have to give his direction, we haven’t seen what’s involved in his direction to the EPA and they’ll start the rulemaking process and I just hope that people get involved with that and make their wishes known.” The White House has yet to release details on the direction it gave to the EPA, though lawmakers say they are confident the slow moving process will ensure the final rule will hold up in court. For RFD-TV, I’m Sarah Mock in Washington. Sen. Deb Fischer Sarah Mock Washington Bureau Chief, RFD-TV @Sarah_K_Mock