Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association Executive Director Tadd Nicholson made the below statement following the release of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supplemental proposal to the 2020 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) rule making. The proposed rule follows an announcement from President Trump last week directing the EPA to follow the letter of the law and keep the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) whole.

“Yesterday’s EPA announcement is extremely disappointing. Just last week, President Trump made clear what direction he wanted them to take and their announcement today shows that they do not understand their job when it comes to administering the RFS as Congress enacted.

President Trump has promised, repeatedly, to support homegrown biofuels. Ohio is home to seven ethanol plants and make no mistake, they are hurting because of EPA’s actions. These plants are the customers for nearly 40 percent of the corn grown in the Buckeye State. Strong biofuel policies support rural jobs, bolster our communities, and give consumers more choices at the pump.

The EPA proposal is not what was promised by the Trump Administration and it fails to answer President Trump’s directive for a stronger conventional biofuel requirement of more than 15 billion gallons per year. President Trump needs to personally intervene again to get the RFS back on track and ensure his EPA follows the law and honors his commitment to our nations corn farmers and ethanol industry.”