The court ruling stems from a May 2018 challenge brought against the EPA by the National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, Renewable Fuels Association, and the American Coalition for Ethanol.

鈥淭he Court has affirmed our long-held position that EPA鈥檚 recent practices and policies regarding small refinery exemption extensions were completely unlawful,鈥� said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. 鈥淎nd while the decision addresses three specific exemptions, the statutory interpretation issues resolved by the court apply much more broadly.鈥�

Among other findings, the court held that the EPA cannot extend exemptions to any small refineries whose earlier, temporary exemptions had lapsed.

EPA鈥檚 data show that a maximum of only seven small refineries could have received continuous extensions of their previously existing exemptions. Yet the agency recently has granted as many as 35 exemptions in a single year.

鈥淭he Court鈥檚 decision is welcome news for corn growers,鈥� said National Corn Growers Association President Kevin Ross. 鈥淓thanol is an incredibly important value-added market for corn farmers, and EPA鈥檚 waivers have reduced RFS volume requirements by more than 4 billion gallons over the past three years, impacting corn demand. We are optimistic this decision will finally put an end to the demand destruction caused by waivers and get the RFS back on track.鈥�

Source: AGDAILY

鈥淭he 婷婷激情五月天 is pleased to see integrity returned to the Renewable Fuel Standard. No other sector in our economy has faced more hardship than agriculture in recent years, farmers and equipment manufactures across the nation applaud this decision.鈥� 

Vernon Schmidt, Exec VP – 婷婷激情五月天

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue issued the following statements after President Trump successfully negotiated an agreement on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS):

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler: 鈥淭oday鈥檚 agreement is the latest in a series of steps we have taken to expand domestic energy production and improve the RFS program that will result in sustained biofuel production to help American farmers.”

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue: “The President recognizes that American farmers are the most productive in the world, and he has found a way to pursue policy that promotes economic growth and supports our producers. Building on the success of the year-round E15 rule, this forward-looking agreement makes improvements to the RFS program that will better harness the production of our farmers and ensure America remains energy dominant.鈥�

Under this agreement, the following actions will be undertaken by EPA and USDA:

• In a forthcoming supplemental notice building off the recently proposed 2020 Renewable Volume Standards and the Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2021, EPA will propose and request public comment on expanding biofuel requirements beginning in 2020.
  • EPA will seek comment on actions to ensure that more than 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol be blended into the nation鈥檚 fuel supply beginning in 2020, and that the volume obligation for biomass-based diesel is met. This will include accounting for relief expected to be provided for small refineries.
  • EPA intends to take final action on this front later this year.
  • In the most recent compliance year, EPA granted 31 small refinery exemptions.
• Building on the President鈥檚 earlier decision to allow year-round sales of E15, EPA will initiate a rulemaking process to streamline labeling and remove other barriers to the sale of E15.
• EPA will continue to evaluate options for RIN market transparency and reform.
• USDA will seek opportunities through the budget process to consider infrastructure projects to facilitate higher biofuel blends.
• The Administration will continue to work to address ethanol and biodiesel trade issues.

Quotes from Elected Officials

鈥淭his is great news for Iowa and rural America. President Trump is following through on his commitment to our nation鈥檚 hardworking farmers and biofuels producers. The RFS is essential to the livelihoods of folks across our state, which is why I鈥檝e been fighting tirelessly on behalf of Iowa鈥檚 farmers and producers every step of the way and making Iowans鈥� voices heard throughout this process,鈥� said Senator Joni Ernst (IA). 鈥淥ur message was clear: uphold the RFS鈥�15 billion means 15 billion. The president heard that message and has acted on it. The steps outlined today by the administration will help increase demand for our biofuels, provide certainty for farmers and producers for years to come, and ensure that EPA is implementing the RFS as it was written.鈥�

鈥淧resident Trump listened to the concerns of farmers and biofuels producers and delivered on their behalf鈥� The solution outlined by President Trump, Administrator Wheeler and Secretary Perdue is exactly how the RFS is meant to function according to the law as written by Congress鈥� Maintaining the integrity of the RFS, repealing WOTUS and allowing year-round sales of E15 will all help American agriculture and the rural economy. These are promises made and promises kept by President Trump,鈥� said Senator Chuck Grassley (IA). 鈥淧resident Trump has made clear that he is an ally of corn and soybean farmers as well as ethanol and biodiesel producers. He is fighting for the farmer. This announcement is great news for Iowa, the Midwest and the entire country.鈥�

鈥淚n my discussions with the president, I fought hard for a fair deal for Nebraska鈥檚 farmers and ethanol producers,鈥� said Senator Deb Fischer (NE). 鈥淚 thank the president for following through on his commitment to rural America. Today鈥檚 announcement means more certainty for families, businesses, and communities across the Good Life.鈥�

鈥淓nsuring RVOs do not go below 15 billion gallons and expanding access to E15 will bolster the RFS and ethanol production at a critical time for our nation鈥檚 rural economy, which has been suffering from low commodity prices,鈥� said Governor Pete Ricketts (NE). 鈥淭hank you to President Trump for taking these important steps for ethanol and our great farm families!鈥�

鈥淚 want to thank the President for working with me to bring parity to farmers in my district, and the ethanol industry as a whole, by addressing the issue of small refinery exemptions,鈥� said Congressman Rodney Davis (IL-13). 鈥淚 recently introduced the bipartisan Small Refinery Exemption Fairness Act to address this issue and reobligate gallons lost to these exemptions, and I look forward to seeing the details of this plan that will put us on the right path forward.鈥�

鈥淭his announcement comes at a time when Illinois ethanol producers needed a big win,” said Congressman Mike Bost (IL-12). “By maintaining the 15 billion gallon baseline and increasing access to E15, President Trump has shown he is working for American agriculture. Farmers across Illinois鈥� 12th District will be pleased with this announcement and the security it provides for the Renewable Fuel Standard.鈥�

鈥淭his is welcome news for Iowa鈥檚 farmers and the renewable fuels industry,鈥� said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. 鈥淧resident Trump listened to our producers鈥� concerns and took action to address them. This is what happens when farmers, biofuels producers and government leaders work together to make our voices heard. We are grateful to President Trump for directing EPA to uphold the intent of the Renewable Fuel Standard, and we look forward to working with EPA and USDA to implement today鈥檚 announcement. As the number one producer of ethanol and biodiesel in the country, Iowa is proud to lead the nation in reducing our dependence on foreign oil. We will continue to work to restore and build demand for these critical markets for Iowa agriculture.鈥�