Farm Bureau Comments on EPA Small Refinery Action

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement regarding small refinery exemptions, which impact renewable fuel production.

“Renewable fuels have been a tremendous success story for the country and the rural economy. The Renewable Fuel Standard has reduced our country’s dependence on foreign oil, reduced air pollution, increased farm income, and provided good-paying jobs in rural America.

“Farmers rely on a robust renewable fuel standard with strong renewable volume obligations that further build the biofuels market. EPA’s measured approach will prevent overuse of small refinery exemptions that would risk undermining the RFS and the biofuels market for farmers.

“With the proposed RFS rule increasing domestic fuel production and prioritizing home-grown crops, we urge EPA to build on this momentum in its reallocation guidance by ensuring the volume lost to exemptions is replaced. Supporting a robust biofuels market allows our country to reduce fuel prices and move closer to energy independence.”