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Grassley: RFS cap is still a ‘non-starter’

EPA administrator Scott Pruitt and Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue are reportedly working on a list of proposals to lower the cost of the Renewable Fuel Standard to oil refiners. The goal is to create options for President Trump that will satisfy both sides on the contentious RFS debate.

That list of possible options is likely to include a cap on the price of RINs—Renewable Identification Numbers–something that Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he will not support.

“That’s a non-starter, period, as far as I’m concerned,” says Grassley.

Grassley says he is open to a considering a compromise plan being floated by some in the biofuels industry. The plan reportedly includes a “RINs multiplier” to temporarily reduce RFS compliance costs for refiners, and a permanent RVP waiver for higher ethanol blends such as E15.

“If there’s something out there that works—and we all know a cap on RINs will not work—then I’m willing to look at that,” Grassley says. “But I take the view that I think is very reasonable—the old adage, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.”

Grassley says he has not heard whether another White House meeting to discuss the RFS is planned.

AUDIO: Excerpts from Senator Grassley’s weekly conference call with ag reporters