Was there progress at Thursday's RFS White House Meeting?

It depends on what story you read.  Here is what some of the leaders in the biofuels industry had to say afterwards.

Quote from Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw:

“President Trump is a businessman and that clearly showed up today. Trump quickly grasped how allowing the year-round sale of E15 would increase ethanol blending and the supply of RFS credits, thereby lowering their cost for refiners. While refiners continue to ask the President to abdicate his support for the RFS, today’s meeting clearly highlighted that E15 can boost biofuel use and lower RFS credit prices without destroying the RFS. As the President continues to study this issue, we are confident that he will agree that year-round E15 sales are the true win-win.” 

Quote from Executive Vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section Brent Erickson:

“Current proposals by a small group of refiners to change the Renewable Fuel Standard are anything but constructive. Granting EPA brand new, far-reaching authorities to issue program waivers, cap RIN prices, or invent new categories of RINs would simply disrupt the RFS and undermine investment in advanced biofuels. Moreover, the proposals run counter to the administration’s goal of reducing regulatory over-reach.”

Quote from Sheetz Executive Vice President Mike Lorenz: 

“Retailers want to offer our customers options, including lower-cost, higher-octane ethanol blends. An RVP waiver lifts needless regulations on retailers, generates growth opportunities for American farmers, and makes more RINs available to refiners. The President is looking for a solution that is a win for everyone – farmers, refiners, and consumers – and I think being able to sell E15 year-round meets that goal.” 

Quote from Advanced Biofuels Business Council Executive Director Brooke Coleman:

“It’s clear that refineries are trying to drive a wedge between President Trump and farm families. And they plan to keep pushing a RIN cap that would throw the RFS into chaos and destroy any hope of revitalizing farm income under the Trump administration. That’s not going to happen, but the President seemed to fully appreciate how easily lifting regulations on E15 sales could pour RINs into the market, which promotes growth on all sides. That is what rural America wants to see, and the president is going to keep hearing it in every conversation with those who care about farm families and workers at over 200 biorefineries coast-to-coast.” 

Quote from Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor:

 “We are grateful to the President for giving Growth Energy’s board members an opportunity to set the record straight about the importance of biofuels to our economy and the livelihood of America’s hard-working farmers. The President very clearly understands that the path forward is to allow sales of E15 year-round, promote growth, and put more RINs on the market. The RFS gives homegrown biofuels a chance to compete at the pump, helping to protect consumers from price manipulation and support hundreds of thousands of jobs across the heartland.” 

Quote from Jeff Broin, CEO of POET:

“It’s clear from this conversation that another refinery bailout is more important to Sen. Cruz and the EPA than the economic crisis facing Midwest voters at the moment. Nothing new was discussed in this meeting. Removing accountability from oil companies would deprive millions of Americans the freedom to choose less expensive, homegrown biofuels and imperil countless jobs and family farms across America’s heartland. I want to thank the President for the opportunity to share the story of how our industry fuels the economic engine of the Midwest. In November, 119 counties there flipped Republican based on President Trump’s commitment to rural economic growth and strong support for the Renewable Fuel Standard. This issue will continue to play out. We will protect interests of this industry, farmers and consumers.” 



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