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Michigan Corn says EPA’s rule falls short

The Michigan Corn Growers Association says they’re very disappointed with EPA’s final rule on ethanol.

President Matt Frostic tells Brownfield local ethanol plants have slowed or even eliminated ethanol production because of demand destruction by EPA’s abuse of RFS waivers.

“Feeling that probably is probably going to come December, January, and February as we know where the supply of this corn is.”

He says exports have been able to support corn prices somewhat in the past but as that’s fallen, the impact of reduced ethanol demand from the exemptions has become even more prevalent.

RPA’s rule sets renewable fuel volume requirements for the coming year and uses a three-year average of Department of Energy recommended waivers as an estimate for 2020 waivers rather than an average of actual gallons waived by the EPA which Michigan Corn says falls short of President Trump’s promise to farmers.

Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow echoes the groups thoughts in a tweet Thursday saying, policies are needed to support Michigan corn and soybean farmers and the Trump Administration’s final biofuels proposal falls far short.