Johnson, Smith Emphasize American Biofuels to New EPA Administrator

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Adrian Smith (R-NE), and Angie Craig (D-MN) led nearly 30 colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to recently-confirmed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin. The letter emphasizes the important role of the American biofuels industry in maximizing energy abundance and affordability while encouraging the EPA to issue timely and science-driven guidance to fulfill the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

“Steady growth in U.S. biofuel production means more American fuel in the marketplace and lower prices at the pump for hardworking families who have spent years suffering under high inflation,” wrote the Members. “Homegrown fuels serve as a bulwark against price manipulation by foreign, state-owned oil exporters. They also promise to play a central role in fulfilling our vision for strengthening the farm economy, supporting domestic processing, and revitalizing rural communities.”

“Additionally, EPA must eliminate decades-old regulatory barriers to growth so all retailers in all 50 states can offer E15 year-round if they so choose,” the Members continued. “E15 lowers gas prices for consumers, creates new markets for our farmers and helps reduce our energy dependence from foreign countries.”

Signers of the letter include: Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Angie Craig (D-MN), Mark Alford (R-MO), Don Bacon (R-NE), James Baird (R-IN), Mike Bost (R-IL), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Ron Estes (R-KS), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Mike Flood (R-NE), Sam Graves (R-MO), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-IL), Mark Messmer (R-IN), Max Miller (R-OH), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Zachary Nunn (R-IA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), and Derrick Van Orden (R-WI).

The letter is supported by numerous stakeholder organizations, including Growth Energy, Renewable Fuels Association, Clean Fuels Alliance America, National Corn Growers Association, ADM, Bayer, Darling Ingredients, POET, Green Plains, Renewable Fuels Nebraska, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Renew Kansas, Iowa Renewable Fuels, and Iowa Corn Growers.

Read the full letter here.