ethanol corn

The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation recently provided comments concerning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule regarding proposed Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) for 2021 and 2022, as well as EPA’s proposal to retroactively adjust the already-finalized RVO for 2020.

The letter pointed out how renewable fuels have been a tremendous success story for the country and the rural economy and how the Renewable Fuel Standard has reduced the country’s dependence on foreign crude oil, reduced air pollution, increased farm incomes and provided good-paying jobs in rural America.

“Following the implementation of the RFS2 in 2007, the U.S. experienced tremendous growth within the agricultural sector,” the letter read. “U.S. farmers responded to these new market signals by expanding crop production by 3 billion to 4 billion bushels of corn and over 1 billion bushels of soybeans, crops that are used to produce corn-based ethanol and soybean oil biodiesel.”

The letter asserted that with the exception of the proposal to reopen the final 2020 standards, Farm Bureau believes the proposed rule represents an important and long-awaited step toward restoring order, integrity and stability to the RFS. It also noted that Farm Bureau supports the proposed volumes for 2022 for all categories of renewable fuel, and specifically commends EPA for proposing to set the implied requirement for conventional renewable fuels at the statutory level of 15 billion gallons.

“We also support EPA’s proposal to account for projected exempt volumes from small refineries when setting RVO percentages, and Farm Bureau agrees with EPA that, ‘in the interest of transparency,’ the agency should release basic information about entities seeking exemptions from RFS compliance,” the letter read. “While we understand EPA’s proposed denial of 65 pending small refinery exemption petitions is not the subject of this docket, we also want to voice our strong support for that decision.”

As for the 2021 RVO and the proposed revision to the 2020 RVO, the letter addresses serious concerns Ohio Farm Bureau has about EPA’s questionable use of its “reset” authority. 

“While we understand EPA has a statutory obligation to consider resetting future RFS volumes when certain thresholds are met, it does not appear that Congress intended for EPA to use its reset authority for the purpose of retroactively addressing unforeseen market anomalies like COVID or weather-related disasters”

The letter underlined that EPA’s current proposals for 2020 and 2021 show a lack of appreciation for farmers who did not stop producing for the U.S. in the midst of the pandemic and would only add to the uncertainty now facing farmers and biofuel producers. 

“These proposed requirements undercut the growth of homegrown biofuels and hold back our efforts to revitalize rural communities, create clean energy jobs and reduce emissions of the transportation sector. Now more than ever, it’s vital that EPA set strong biofuel requirements as soon as possible.”

Read the full letter to the EPA regarding the agency’s RFS proposal.

New and beginning farmers
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Select Partner Program
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Advocacy
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

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