U.S. Senator Mike Braun, who was a strong advocate on behalf of Hoosier farmers released, the following statement regarding President Trump’s agreement on biofuels.
“At my recent townhall meeting in Franklin, Indiana, this issue was top of mind for Hoosier farmers and producers.  I worked closely with USDA and the Trump Administration to make sure those concerns were realized here in Washington. This is why I am proud to announce that President Trump kept his promise to Hoosier farmers to ensure the RFS is implanted in a manner consistent with Congressional intent,†said U.S. Senator Mike Braun.  “This agreement to expand domestic energy production is a win for Hoosier farmers, and it comes on the heels of a year-round E-15 decision.  Hoosiers will not forget that President Trump is in their corner.â€
BACKGROUND …
Trump announces deal to boost demand for ethanol, in boon for farmers.  “The Trump administration moved Friday to quell complaints from farmers — a key voting constituency — by increasing federal mandates for production of corn-based ethanol and biodiesel.  President Trump has sought for weeks to broker a compromise between ethanol supporters and the oil industry over the Renewable Fuel Standard. … Farmers have criticized the administration’s policy of exempting some small oil refineries from RFS requirements to blend billions of gallons of corn ethanol into gasoline, which they argue are eroding the market for ethanol and the corn used to make it.  The Trump administration has approved waivers almost four times as often as the previous administration. Farmers’ anger peaked when the EPA announced in August that it exempted 31 oil refineries from 2018 requirements to use renewable fuel.  In a series of proposed changes to the RFS, EPA says it will issue a notice for public comment on expanding biofuel requirements so that more than 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol be blended into the nation’s fuel supply beginning in 2020.  EPA said it will also propose a rule to streamline labeling and remove other barriers to the sale of E15, a gasoline fuel blend that is 15% ethanol.† (The Washington Examiner, 10/04/19)
