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Pruitt says EPA is addressing several ethanol issues

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt says the agency is working to resolve several issues impacting the ethanol industry.

Last month the Renewable Fuels Association sent a letter encouraging the Administrator to ensure the agency keeps the 2018 RFS renewable volume obligation on schedule.

Scott Pruitt says it is.  “The RVO targets that are set each year in November – routinely the EPA has missed those targets,” he says.  “That’s going to change.  We’re already on progress to meet that deadline in November to provide certainty.”

He says the agency is also working to increase E-15 usage and remove unnecessary regulatory hurdles associated with the Reid vapor pressure regulations.  “We are looking at that internally – to allow E-15 to be sold throughout the year, a national waiver if you will,” he says.  “There’s a statutory analysis that is ongoing that we’re hopefully going to be able to conclude that process very soon.  I very much hope we can get there – it’s just a matter if the statute permits it or not.”

Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association says resolving the RVP issue and ensuring yearlong access to E-15 is a win-win for consumers and ethanol producers.

In early March a bipartisan group of Senators introduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would extend RVP equality for ethanol blends above 10 percent, a companion bill was also introduced into the house.

AUDIO: EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt

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