LINCOLN — The Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association issued statements today following the release of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) supplemental plans to the 2020 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) rule-making. The proposed rule comes less than two weeks after President Trump directed the EPA to adhere to the law and keep the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) whole by accounting for gallons of ethanol lost due to refinery waivers.
“We just can’t get a win,” said Dan Nerud, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association and farmer from Dorchester. “We truly thought the administration was on the right track with the October 4th announcement from President Trump. However, the devil is in the details. Any proposed rule that does not account for actual waived ethanol gallons does not restore integrity to the RFS.”
Nebraska Corn appreciates the intent of the EPA to follow through with Department of Energy recommendations on waivers going forward, it is unclear how waivers will be accounted for in the 2020 volume requirements based on today’s proposed rule.
“The EPA missed the mark,” said David Bruntz, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board and farmer from Friend. “They’ve had continual opportunities to make the RFS whole, but they once again fell short. Nebraska Corn will continue to fight for the integrity of the RFS and to ensure the final 2020 RVO reflects the commitments made by President Trump.”
The Nebraska Corn Board is funded through a producer checkoff investment of ½-cent-per-bushel checkoff on all corn marketed in the state and is managed by nine farmer directors. The mission of the Nebraska Corn Board is to promote the value of corn by creating opportunities.
The Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) is a grassroots commodity organization that works to enhance the profitability of corn producers. NeCGA has more than 2,400 dues-paying members in Nebraska. NeCGA is affiliated with the National Corn Growers Association, which has more than 40,000 dues-paying members nationwide.
— Nebraska Corn Board
Nebraska Corn Growers Association
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