Yesterday (Thursday), Senator Chuck Grassley was among a bipartisan group of senators who met with White House Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough to discuss concerns with the revised volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2015 and 2016. Grassley said he hopes McDonough will take their concerns to heart and back to the EPA. The new proposal’s modest improvement over the prior one underestimates the capacity for farmers and ethanol and biodiesel producers to generate enough renewable fuel to meet higher goals. He added that by hurting biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel, the EPA is hurting agriculture markets, rural economies, lower prices for consumers at the pump, reduced emissions and national security through dependence on foreign oil. The bipartisan group is urging President Obama to make this a priority as they work to finalize the proposal by Nov. 30.
