After an extra week of waiting, the Environmental Protection Agency finally released its Renewable Volume Obligations for biodiesel & ethanol. Groups like the Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Biodiesel Board stated their frustration with the news.
?In the final rule, EPA increases RFS volumes for biodiesel and renewable diesel by only 60 million gallons in 2023, 220 million gallons in 2024, and 310 million gallons in 2025. Although the out-years had more significant increases in this category from the initial proposal, the agency did not listen to industry concerns and left 2023 at the original proposal level of 2.82 billion gallons.?
Dave Walton is the District 6 Director for the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and farms near Wilton. He also serves on the governing board of the National Biodiesel Board. He gives his initial reactions to this EPA decision.
Walton speculates as to why the EPA got the RVOs for biofuels so wrong.
He talks about why this is such a blow to the biodiesel industry in the state.
Walton says this is also going to hurt rural communities around the country.
I asked Director Walton if anything good could be found in this announcement that was made this morning.
Walton adds that today’s announcement isn’t the end. The battle still rages on for the biodiesel industry.
