MCGA VP: Maintain robust Renewable Fuel Standard
Above: On Tuesday, Minnesota Corn Growers Association Vice President Richard Syverson testified to federal officials about how the proposed 2020, 2021 and 2022 Renewable Volume Obligation proposals could affect Minnesota corn farmers.
Proposals to retroactively reduce ethanol-blending requirements for 2020 and set disappointing blending requirements for 2021 could harm farmers and rural communities and hamper efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Meanwhile, a proposal to set robust blending requirements in 2022 would strengthen farmers and rural communities and further efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prices at the fuel pump.
That was the message Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) Vice President Richard Syverson delivered to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials Tuesday.
Syverson, who farms in Clontarf, testified at a virtual hearing on the EPA’s 2020, 2021 and 2022 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) proposals. The agency has proposed reducing the previously finalized 2020 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) under the RFS from 15 billion gallons to 12.5 billion gallons for corn ethanol. It has also proposed a 2021 RVO figure of 13.3 billion gallons for corn ethanol and a more robust 2022 figure of 15 billion gallons for corn ethanol. Additionally, it has proposed denying all 65 pending small refinery exemptions.
Syverson said a successfully implemented RFS provides certainty in agriculture markets, reduces air emissions and lowers fuel prices for consumers.
“These proposed cuts reward the use of more oil instead of clean, renewable fuels such as corn ethanol,” he said. “Corn farmers stand ready to work with EPA to offer immediate and affordable emission reductions via the use of low carbon ethanol in our transportation fuel supply.”
[More: Read Syverson’s testimony on the Renewable Fuel Standard proposals]
NCGA President Chris Edgington said that field corn is a low-carbon feedstock and a right-here, right-now solution to addressing climate change. He urged the EPA to move quickly to finalize the strong 2022 RVO proposal and said the proposed 2020 cuts would undermine the 2022 proposal.
“We ask you to work with us to achieve greater emission reductions and cleaner air through use of more renewable, sustainable, affordable ethanol,” he said.
MCGA will continue to closely monitor the rulemaking process before RVOs are finalized and will continue to work with our congressional champions on policies that support farmers, rural economies and the environment. Stay connected to the latest ethanol and agriculture policy updates out of St. Paul and Washington, D.C., by visiting mncorn.org.
