News

70 Midwestern mayors urge EPA to defend RFS

Mayors from across the Midwest have written the EPA urging the agency to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Brett Barker, mayor of Nevada in central Iowa, tells Brownfield the coronavirus pandemic is just the latest in a series of hits to agriculture.

“Not only does COVID-19 have a huge impact because of decreased demand and things like that, but it’s also been an opportunity that other industries that compete (with biofuels) have tried to take advantage and gut the Renewable Fuel Standard even further.”

Barker is one of 70 mayors asking the EPA to reject unjustifiable RFS waiver requests.

He says biofuels play a large role in the economy of his and many other communities.

“The farmers sell to the biofuels industry, but then they use that money to invest in our communities. Whether it’s buying equipment, vehicles, cars, goods and services in their daily lives. So it definitely has a ripple effect.”

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor thanked the mayors who took up the call to action.  She says the last thing communities can afford right now is another pitched battle with oil lobbyists seeking to cash in on the pandemic by destroying farm and biofuel markets under the RFS.

Mayors from Brownfield states who signed the letter: 

Iowa-Jeff Antofer (Coon Rapids), Jon Billups (Burlington), Patrick Degen (Emmetsburg), Gabe Fiscus (Goldfield), Joel Greer (Marshalltown), Brad Hart (Cedar Rapids), Justin Haught (Waucoma), Keith Horgen (St. Ansgar), Harold Hove (Stanhope), Richard Hunt (Shenandoah), David Jones (Atlantic), Bruce Keenan (Spirit Lake), Doug Kirkhoff (Le Mars), Dave Krahling (Sioux Center), Janice Leonard (Corning), Scott Maddasion (Clinton), Joseph May (Estherville), Kevin Van Otterloo (Rock Valley), Leo Reiter (Jewell), Bill Schickel (Mason City), Rick Scholbrock (Hanlontown), James Tendol Sr. (Superior), Hans Trousil (West Burlington), Gregg Wright (Randall),

Illinois-Jim Ardis (Peoria), Dennis Bergman (Lena), Kevin Coleman (Hennepin), Julie Moore-Wolf (Decatur)

Indiana-John Boggs (Portland), Tom DeBaun (Shelbyville), Scott Long (Wabash), Todd Naselroad (Alexandria), Chad Spence (Union City)

Minnesota-Brad Ahrenstorff (Lake Crystal), Sheldon Geise (Morris), Gene Hausauer (Ortonville), Vern Rasmussen Jr (Albert Lea), Kurt Reicks (Preston)

Missouri-Louis Bragg (La Plata), Chris Cox (Centralia), Josh Deimeke (Laddonia), James Holman (Macon), John Long (Monroe City), Mike Spirz (Montgomery)

Nebraska-Jim Bulkley (Columbus), Paul Corkle (Atkinson), Clayton Erickson (Central City), Les Glinsman (Ord), Brad Redfern (York)

South Dakota-Jayme Akin (Redfield), Paul Aylward (Huron), Sarah Caron (Watertown), Bob Everson (Mitchell), Pat Raffety (Milbank), Travis Schaunaman (Aberdeen), Steve Wickre (Hudson), Deb Wilk (Big Stone City)

Wisconsin-Anson Albarado (Village of Cadott, Chippewa County), Louis Armstrong (City of Monroe, Green County), Scott Carter (Village of Necedah, Juneau County), Alan Haas (City of Stanley, Chippewa County), Lee Herek (Town of Plymouth, Juneau County), Gib Kreuger (Vil. Of Boyceville, Dunn County), Wayne Olson (Town of Fountain, Juneau County)