Ethanol Targeted by Oil-state Lawmakers

A group of lawmakers from major oil-producing states sent a letter earlier this week to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Andrew Wheeler requesting a freeze of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) as a way to bolster the petroleum market that’s endured “severe economic harm” from the COVID-19 pandemic and the dramatic decline in fuel demand it’s caused. The letter also touches on recent discussions around and efforts to raise the ethanol blend mandate to 15% year-round, which they say would damage fuel infrastructure. In farm states, candidates — challengers and incumbents — are rallying around the ethanol industry as the election as the Renewable Fuels Association, the ethanol industry trade association, said the lawmakers’ letter to EPA should “go straight to EPA’s dumpster.” See more on the latest ethanol policy issue here.