WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the proposed 2018 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS):

“Nebraska producers are leaders in ethanol production and biofuel investment. I’m happy to see the EPA’s proposed conventional RVOs comply with the law. Our producers need more certainty given the status of our current farm economy. Moving forward, I'm optimistic that the voices of all stakeholders can be heard during the public comment period."

Earlier this year, Fischer questioned EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt during his nomination hearing about the RFS. In their exchange, Pruitt committed to follow the law and honor the congressionally mandated timelines and the volume requirements under the RFS.

By law, EPA is required to finalize the upcoming year’s mandates for conventional ethanol and most advanced biofuels by November 30 of the previous year. A public comment period is open following the release of the proposed volume obligations.

Nebraska is the second largest ethanol producing state in the nation with 25 ethanol plants that have the capacity to produce more than 2 billion gallons annually. Ethanol contributes $5 billion to Nebraska’s economy every year and provides Nebraskans with more than 1,300 full-time jobs.

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