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Trump meets with biofuels and oil industry reps

Representatives of the biofuels and oil industries met with President Trump Thursday to discuss issues related to the Renewable Fuel Standard.

One of the participants, POET Ethanol CEO Jeff Broin, says although nothing new was discussed in the meeting, it was a good opportunity to “share the story of how our industry fuels the economic engine of the Midwest”.

“It’s clear from this conversation that another refinery bailout is more important to Senator (Ted) Cruz and the EPA than the economic crisis facing Midwest voters at the moment,” Broin said in a statement. “Removing accountability from oil companies would deprive millions of Americans the freedom to choose less expensive, homegrown biofuels and imperil countless jobs and family farms across America’s heartland.

Broin says as the RFS issue continues to play out, “we will protect the interests of this industry, farmers and consumers”.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who was also in the meeting, says both sides made their case “and the only agreement was to look at economic studies for impact”.

No decisions were made, Grassley said.