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Grassley: I don’t trust the EPA

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, in his conference call with ag reporters this week, made it clear how he feels about the EPA these days.

“I don’t trust the EPA,” Grassley says. “There’s a big public relations problem with people in the ethanol industry, corn farmers and this senator about EPA keeping their word—and playing footsie with the big oil companies.”

Grassley says he hopes EPA officials will listen to the concerns of farmers and renewable fuels groups over the agency’s proposed biofuels rule.

“I want them to listen to the comments and I want them, before they put out the final rule 30 days from now, to show us without a doubt that it’s going to be 15 billion gallons,” Grassley says.

EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler offered assurances this week that the 15 billion gallon threshold will be met. Grassley calls Wheeler’s comments “not very satisfying”.

“Only time will tell—and maybe that time is 12 months from now,” Grassley says.