Iowa Fourth District Congressman, Steve King, was in Carroll Saturday morning for his 14th town hall meeting with constituents since January. Many issues were discussed during the one-hour meeting, such as trade, immigration and flood relief. One question from the crowd touched on the waning demand for biofuels. Iowa is the nation’s leading producer of biofuels, thanks in large part to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which requires a certain quantity of fuel sold in the U.S. to contain a minimum volume from renewable sources. King says they have gained ground as the EPA edges closer to allowing year-round E15, but Renewable Identification Number (RIN) waivers are nullifying the RFS.
He says far too many waivers are being approved, and the RFS is slowly eroding away as a result. According to King, he is working on a bill that would keep the RFS intact while still allowing for RIN waivers.
He also suggests that the small refinery designation is being misused, as many larger refiners that own small refineries are taking advantage of that language. King says something needs to be done, but he is not hopeful that any bill regarding biofuels will make it to the president’s desk.
According to King, the Fourth Congressional District is one of the leading renewable energy producers in the nation, and Iowa should keep its focus on maintaining its position at the top. He says research and development into this field will provide jobs and economic advantages for the state into the foreseeable future. Full audio from King’s visit can be found included with this story on our website.
FULL AUDIO
