MCGA president testifies on 2023-25 RFS proposal
Today, at a virtual hearing hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) President Richard Syverson testified in support of the agency’s renewable fuel volume proposal for 2023, 2024, and 2025. Under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the EPA must set annual minimum volumes of renewable fuels, such as corn ethanol, to be mixed with conventional gasoline to reduce emissions, expand and diversify the fuel supply, improve energy security, and lower costs.
For 2023, the EPA has proposed setting conventional biofuel volumes at 15 billion gallons. The EPA has proposed setting conventional biofuel volumes at 15.25 billion gallons for 2024 and 2025, respectively. These volumes, if approved, will provide certainty in agriculture markets, reduce air emissions, and lower prices for consumers.
“Corn farmers provide the primary feedstock for low carbon ethanol and corn farmers contribute to the success of the RFS through higher corn yields and continuous improvement in sustainable feedstock production,” Syverson said.
“We are moving into a new phase of RFS implementation, and generally we appreciate EPA’s forward-looking proposal of annual increases in renewable fuel volumes, including an implied conventional biofuel volume of 15.25 billion gallons,” Syverson added. “We support the growth trajectory in EPA’s proposal. But biofuels can do even more to help increase energy security and reduce costs for consumers while providing environmental benefits. We ask EPA to continue to work with us on complementary policies that advance higher ethanol blends which will help to reduce fuel costs as well as air emissions.”
Syverson urged the EPA to adopt the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Lab GREET model for lifecycle greenhouse gas assessment. The GREET model is well-recognized and reflects modern biofuel production practices. The EPA should adopt this model instead of relying on outdated estimates or proposing more modeling reviews.
“Today’s ethanol production cuts carbon emissions by 50 percent compared to gasoline,” he said. “We strongly urge EPA to adopt this model instead of relying on outdated estimates and proposing more modeling reviews.”
Also testifying today was National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Tom Haag, who farms in Eden Valley, Minnesota. He, too, said corn farmers stand ready to work with the EPA to build on the growing biofuel volumes.
Additionally, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor and Renwable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper testified in support of the renewable fuel volume proposal.
