Ernst Works to Put American Farmers and Biofuel Producers First

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is putting America's farmers and biofuel producers first by joining her colleagues in calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize a rule on imported Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and hold firm on the proposed biomass-based diesel volumes.

In their letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the members emphasized how this measure would ensure the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) continues to strengthen American energy security and support both American farmers and domestic renewable fuel producers - not foreign adversaries like China, which are actively opposing this America First policy.

"At a time when many farmers are struggling to break even, all federal biofuels policies should prioritize domestic agriculture and biofuel production, not foreign fuels made from foreign feedstocks. Additionally, while farmers face the uncertainty of foreign market demand, the Import RIN reduction would provide essential support for the farm economy so farmers could sell more products domestically," the members said.

"The EPA's own analysis highlights the positive impact of the Import RIN proposal: it will create jobs and generate economic growth in farming, transportation, and manufacturing, particularly in rural communities where oilseed processing facilities are located. This is exactly the outcome Congress intended when it created and expanded the Renewable Fuel Standard," the members continued.

The EPA's own analysis highlights the positive impact of the Import RIN proposal, saying it will create jobs and generate economic growth in farming, transportation, and manufacturing - particularly in rural communities.

"The Import RIN reduction also aligns with Congressional intent under the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, which prioritizes domestic feedstocks. Aligning EPA's policy with this standard helps level the playing field for domestic feedstock and biofuel producers with imported feed stocks, such as Brazilian tallow and so called "used cooking oil" from China, which would otherwise directly undercut U.S. energy, agriculture, and manufacturing," the members concluded.

Read the letter here.

Background:

In August, Ernst introduced her bipartisan Ethanol for America Act that would confirm the compatibility of E15 with existing underground fuel storage and dispensing equipment, ensuring business owners are not required to make costly and unnecessary infrastructure changes.

In April, Ernst urged the EPA to restore integrity, stability, and growth to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by raising Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) levels for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels. She also helped introduce the Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act, which she successfully included in the One Big Beautiful Bill to extend the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit and ensure domestic feedstocks are prioritized for biofuel production - opening new markets for farmers.

More broadly, Ernst has been a leading advocate for homegrown Iowa biofuels, securing access to E15 for the summer driving months and pushing for permanent, nationwide availability that would give consumers, farmers, and biofuel producers the certainty they deserve.

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