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Anger over RFS waivers is not going away

The anger over the EPA’s granting of RFS exemptions is not subsiding. In fact, it seems to be building.

Jeff Broin, chairman and CEO of ethanol giant POET, blasted the EPA Tuesday as he announced production cutbacks at POET plants. Broin said the RFS waivers contradict President Trump’s promise to support the RFS.

Another ethanol producer, Marquis Energy, announced plans to reduce output at a plant in Necedah, Wisconsin. CEO Mark Marquis accused President Trump of lying when he said he supported ethanol.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley continues his criticism of the waivers. Grassley says the government has broken its promise to ethanol producers.

“If you give 15 billion gallons that has to be used each year by the oil companies to mix with gasoline, then it ought to be 15 billion gallons—not 14 billion gallons,” Grassley says.

Another Iowa politician, Representative Cindy Axne, is calling for a federal investigation into the EPA’s biofuel waiver process.

President Trump appears to be taking notice of the blowback over the RFS waivers. Trump reportedly held a two-hour meeting this week with cabinet officials to discuss options to boost ethanol demand and appease angry farmers.