Pruitt's answers fail to satisfy Nebraska corn growers

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Pruitt’s answers fail to satisfy Nebraska corn growers

June 15, 2018 By admin Filed Under: Crops, News, Renewable Energy

Leaders of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association went into a Thursday afternoon meeting in Lincoln with EPA administrator Scott Pruitt seeking clarity on issues surrounding E15 and the Renewable Fuel Standard.

They left disappointed.

Pruitt told the group he supports year-round sales of E15 and he has the authority to approve it. But he wouldn’t commit to a timeline for that approval, which frustrated Corn Growers president Dan Wesley of Morse Bluff.

“He has the ability to approve E15 year-round—and we want to know when,” Wesley says. “Farmers in Nebraska and other states want to see the finish line here.”

Nebraska Corn executive director Kelly Brunkhorst agreed.

“Our concern is that the administrator’s foot has kind of been on the brake of not allowing this to get done—even though today we all heard that he believes he has the authority to get it done,” Brunkhorst says.

Pruitt indicated that E15 needs to be part of package deal that also addresses oil industry concerns. It’s a complex issue, he said.

“With respect to RFS, it’s not Mideast peace, but it comes close,” Pruitt said. “There are a cross-section of industries and groups and states that are impacted. There are passionate, passionate feelings about this issue across the country. I endeavor to try to find answers and administer it fairly.”

Pruitt defended RFS hardship waivers granted to oil refiners, saying they’re required by law.

He also used the occasion to announce that the EPA will today (Friday) send a proposed rule redefining “waters of the United States” to the Office of Management and Budget for interagency review.

AUDIO: Excerpts from Scott Pruitt’s meeting with Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and the Common Sense Nebraska Coalition