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RFA CEO says Trump missed an opportunity while campaigning in “the heart of ethanol country”

The CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association was hoping for more when President Trump’s campaign came through the heart of ethanol country Monday.

Geoff Cooper says the President missed an opportunity by not discussing issues important to the ag and biofuels industries.

“And we’re hoping to change that as the President makes more of these appearances in these key swing states. We really hope to cut through and make sure he understands the importance of supporting the renewable fuels industry and the farmers who supply our industry.”

Trump spoke for about an hour in Mankato, Minnesota before traveling to Oshkosh, Wisconsin Monday afternoon.

Cooper tells Brownfield Trump’s EPA also needs to address several key issues related to the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“The 2021 RFS levels should’ve already been proposed (and) we should be in the middle of a comment period. We’re also waiting on some decision from EPA around 80-plus small refinery exemption petitions that are currently pending at the agency.”

He’s concerned EPA is aware of how controversial these decisions are and is content to “kick the can down the road” until after the election.