The ethanol industry launched an ad campaign in Iowa on Monday that uses President Trump’s own words to up the pressure on the Environmental Protection Agency to make good on Trump’s promises to farm country.
The ad campaign coincides with EPA acting administrator Andrew Wheeler’s trip to the major ethanol-producing state on Monday to meet with lawmakers and farmers to discuss the ethanol program the EPA oversees.
[Related: New EPA chief Andrew Wheeler is a ‘different person’ than scandal-plagued Scott Pruitt]
“If Administrator Wheeler is truly interested in reaching out to farmers harmed by Scott Pruitt’s small refiner waiver fire sale, he’s got to do more than come to the Midwest and talk,” said Bob Dinneen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association, which funded the ads. “If he wants to uphold the president’s commitment to farmers, he’s got to take action.”
The radio ads prod Wheeler on two key concerns when it comes to the EPA’s management of the Renewable Fuel Standard. First, then-EPA Administrator Pruitt waived the annual ethanol-blending requirements for oil refiners, which the industry argues reduced the market for ethanol by 2 billion gallons. Dinneen blames Pruitt for increasing the number of waivers to refiners, and wants the administration to make up for the losses in the 2019 RFS rule now pending at the agency.
“The EPA let oil refiners blend 2 billion fewer gallons of ethanol. That’s not fair,” the Renewable Fuel Association ad states. It goes on to urge Iowans to tell President Trump “it’s time for the EPA to support Iowa farmers,” and provides a phone number for them to call.
The ad makes use of Trump’s own statements of support for following the law when it comes to the EPA’s implementation of the renewable fuel program. ”Iowans agree … but Trump’s EPA has fallen short,” the ad continues.
The second issue is making 15-percent ethanol fuel blends available year round. EPA currently restricts the fuel’s use throughout the summer fueling season because of its high fuel volatility, or Reid vapor pressure, rating.
The second ad also uses Trump’s own words to show the White House’s support for a waiver. Trump recently addressed farmers in the state where he said the administration was “very close” on approving a 12-month, 15-percent ethanol waiver, which the add reiterates.
But the “EPA is dragging its feet,” it continues. “Tell Administrator Wheeler: It’s time to deliver on E15.”
Wheeler is expected to meet with Iowan lawmakers and others beginning on Monday at the Iowa State Fair.
