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Reynolds says ethanol industry ‘crisis’ needs to be addressed

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says the Trump Administration needs to address the issue of RFS small refinery waivers, which she says is leading to a “crisis” in the ethanol industry.

“We’re trying to give them some options…to really address the short-term crisis that we’re seeing with ethanol plants either shutting down or cutting production,” Reynolds said. “We can’t continue to lower the floor and expect the industry to survive and continue to grow.”

Reynolds says she believes President Trump “is trying to do the right thing” by farmers, but the EPA continues to “undercut” the federal ethanol production mandate.

Reynolds says she has discussed the issue with administration officials. She has also talked to other Midwest governors, suggesting they make a trip together to Washington, D.C. to talk with President Trump about the unrest in farm country.

Radio Iowa contributed to this story.