Mayors from 10 states call on EPA to reject RFS waiver requests

In Washington, mayors from across the U.S. farm belt condemned oil industry efforts to seize markets from farmers and biofuel producers under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler, 70 mayors called on the agency to “reject unjustifiable RFS waiver requests and protect rural communities.”

“Some of us have already seen our local ethanol plant shutter its doors while others have witnessed their local ethanol plant reduce operations,” wrote mayors from 10 states. “This is having devastating ripple effects throughout our economy. Such waivers would further damage our communities and the farmers, workers, and families who depend on a vibrant biofuels industry.”

The letter was offered in support for America’s biofuel producers, who have seen demand evaporate during the COVID-19 pandemic.