WASHINGTON – In a letter to U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and several of her colleagues, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt made important commitments to follow the law and stand up for rural America as he implements the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The letter comes in response to concerns Fischer and her colleagues shared with the Administrator over the past several months and in a meeting earlier this week.

“Administrator Pruitt’s letter is a step in the right direction with a stated commitment to stand up for rural America as he works to implement the Renewable Fuel Standard. Throughout my many discussions with the administration, I’ve advocated for the hardworking Nebraskans who have invested in biofuels to strengthen our country’s energy diversity and expand fuel choices at the pump. I’m pleased the Administrator responded to our concerns, and I look forward to working with him on these issues, particularly to provide a waiver so that E15 can be sold year round.”

The EPA Administrator makes key commitments in his letter, including:

• Stating that granting the petition to move the point of obligation from refiners to downstream retailers “would not be appropriate.”
• Setting the Final Renewable Volume Obligation for Biodiesel at 2.1 billion gallons or more.
• Welcoming the opportunity to work with Congress to provide a nationwide RVP waiver for E15. Senator Fischer is the lead sponsor of a renewable energy bill that would extend the Reid vapor pressure waiver, more commonly referred to as the RVP waiver, to E15, allowing the fuel to be sold throughout the year. Click here to read more about her bill. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing on the legislation in June of 2017.
• Rejecting applying a compliance credit – more commonly referred to as a RIN – to exported gallons of biofuel.

Click here to read a copy of the letter to Fischer and her colleagues.