WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the proposed 2019 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) at 19.88 billion under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS):
“Nebraska is a national leader in ethanol production, and the Renewable Fuel Standard is critical to supporting the state’s economy. I welcome the EPA’s announcement of this proposal, which sets conventional ethanol at 15 billion gallons and increases advanced biofuel gallons. While the renewable fuel volumes proposed are a step in the right direction, continued oversight, especially in regards to small refinery exemption waivers, is needed to ensure the integrity of the RFS and that the law is not compromised.”
The EPA is required by law to finalize the upcoming year’s mandates for conventional ethanol and most advanced biofuels by November 30 of the previous year. Following the release of these proposed obligation, a public comment period is open.
With 25 ethanol plants producing more than 2 billion gallons, Nebraska is the second largest ethanol producing state in the nation. Today, ethanol contributes $5 billion to Nebraska’s economy every year.