The ethanol industry continues to express disappointment at the EPA’s lack of buy-in on biofuels.
From the President’s budget emphasis on electric vehicles to EPA’s further review of biofuel waivers, to its focus on better engines versus cleaner fuels, the ethanol industry is disappointed.
RFA Chief Geoff Cooper tried to put the best light on the situation: “The President’s budget request, for instance, did have, while it had $170 billion plus in it for electric vehicles, it did have $15-16 billion in there for biofuels infrastructure and biofuels research and development. So, not nearly equitable levels, but at least we’re not left out.”
Cooper says that it is a step up since President Trump’s budget ignored the sector.
“We certainly have work to do to get more equity and fairness, in terms of how this administration is thinking about low-carbon transportation moving forward,” he states.
Cooper and his group are frustrated higher ethanol blends are not part of the administration’s climate strategy.
“We know what a priority it is for this administration and for this Congress to take action that will reduce--further reduce-- emissions from our transportation sector, and E-15 is one tool that is immediately available to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the light-duty transportation sector,” he adds.
The EPA did not seek an appeal of a recent federal court ruling that struck down summertime use of E-15. This could result in a significant loss in sales of both corn and ethanol through 2024. As a result, biofuel and corn groups appealed, instead.