NFU's Rob Larew on Biofuels

Rob Larew, VP of Public Policy and Communications at the National Farmers Union, talks about NFU’s position on biofuels and Renewable Fuel Standards, as well as the farm economy, rural development, and health care. The National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Trump Administration’s first proposed set of volume obligations for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The proposal maintains the conventional biofuel amount at 15 billion gallons, yet lowers obligations for advanced biofuels, including biodiesel, and ultimately falls nearly 7 billion gallons short of the levels prescribed by Congress in the RFS statute.

In response to the proposal, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement:

“For the past year, President Trump and his administration have assured family farmers and rural residents that this administration plans to support biofuels and uphold the intent of Congress as it relates to the RFS. But today’s disappointing proposal, by lowering volume obligations for the next generation of biofuels, seems to back off these assurances.

“As family farmers navigate a severely depressed farm economy, this is a time the administration should be raising expectations for a policy that drives many economies in rural America. We urge the administration to reconsider this action and to increase these proposed obligations to meet the levels as written by Congress.”

Find out more at www.nfu.org