NCGA Statement on EPA’s Final 2017 Renewable Volume Obligation

The following is a statement from Texas farmer Wesley Spurlock, president of the National Corn Growers Association, in response to today’s announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the final 2017 renewable volume obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“Today the EPA moved in the right direction by increasing the 2017 ethanol volume to statute. This is critical for farmers facing difficult economic times, as well as for consumers who care about clean air, affordable fuel choices, and lowering our dependence on foreign oil.

“The Renewable Fuel Standard has been one of America’s great policy success stories. It has improved our energy independence, our air quality, and our rural economies. Although we believe the EPA did not have authority to reduce the ethanol numbers in the first place, we are pleased to see the RVO finally back on track.

“Moving forward, we call on the EPA to continue following the law and keep the RFS on track. Doing so will bring much-needed stability to the marketplace, providing greater certainty for farmers and the industry while also spurring increased investment in renewable fuels.

“Together with both public and private sector partners, NCGA will continue working to grow our national fuel infrastructure so that consumers have greater access to renewable fuels. America’s corn farmers are proud to grow a cleaner-burning, renewable fuel source for America and the world. Thank you to everyone who took the time to contact the EPA in support of the RFS and renewable fuels.”