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Ag secretary says EPA’s change of policy will provide flexibility to biofuel industry

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says he is pleased with the EPA’s recent change of policy on small refinery exemptions.

“I’m pleased to see the Environmental Protection Agency recently indicating that their approach to waivers on the RFS will be significantly different than under the previous administration,” he says.

He says it’s the right decision.

“The waiver program, which was designed to provide assistance and help for small refineries that were struggling to meet the Renewable Fuel Standard requirements made sense,” he says. “But, what didn’t make sense was providing those waivers to large-scale refineries owned large-scale oil companies,” he says.   

A return to a more normal distribution of waivers will provide a greater flexibility and predictability for renewable fuel industry, he says.

Yesterday, Michael Regan was confirmed as EPA Administrator. Speaking at Commodity Classic on Friday, before the confirmation, Vilsack said he believes the USDA and EPA will have a positive relationship under Regan’s leadership.

“He understands and appreciates that what happens at EPA has an impact on what happens at USDA and the people we care about,” he says. “He understands it’s important to be consistent in decision making and he understands it’s important to be transparent in decision making, and he understands it’s important to have a line of communication between our department and agency so we know when and if there are issues being discussed that impact agriculture that we have the opportunity to make sure they fully understand and appreciate what that decision will mean for you on the ground.”

Vilsack says he is looking forward to working with Regan and his team.