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Ernst sees positives and negatives of RFS proposal

US Senator Joni Ernst says the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed RFS volumes would help bring certainty to conventional biofuel producers.

“We saw an increase in volume for our ethanol,” Ernst said. “That is really great. I appreciate that.”

EPA has proposed increasing renewable fuel targets in each of the next three years to 20.82 billion gallons in 2023, 21.87 billion gallons in 2024 and 22.68 billion gallons in 2025.

But the Iowa Republican tells Brownfield more support is needed for advanced biofuels like biomass-based diesel.

“We have many advanced types of biofuels that we really want to see increasing volumes with,” Ernst said, “and we really haven’t seen that to the extent that we would like to see.”

Ernst says advanced biofuels could help the Biden administration reach its carbon emission reduction goals.

The EPA will make a final announcement once the public comment period ends in early 2023.