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Skor: delay on Northey’s USDA nomination is a “political play”

The CEO of the ethanol advocacy group Growth Energy says the delay in confirming Iowa ag secretary Bill Northey to a USDA undersecretary post is nothing more than a political move.

Emily Skor says it’s a direct response to the Trump Administrator and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt abandoning proposed changes to the Renewable Fuels Standard.

“This is an attempt to undermine that,” she says. “I am confident that the administration will stand firm where they are. This is an important policy, it is an agricultural policy, it’s a political play and we’ll just have to see where that goes.”

She tells Brownfield Growth Energy is pleased with the EPA’s new promise to keep renewable fuel volume mandates for next year at greater levels, reversing the proposal to cut the levels for biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol.

But, she says, she wants to see that promise come to fruition in the policy that’s expected in November.

In regards to E15, Skor says while there has been movement in Congress to establish a waiver to Reid vapor pressure (RVP) requirements, it will be difficult to get it passed before next summer. RVP would allow retailers to sell E15 year-round.

“We’re continuing to work in Congress with our congressional champions and continue conversations with EPA. Those are our two options-  either Congress takes action or EPA does,” she says. “All of us are working, it’s a big priority so we’re working very hard to get this fixed.”

Skor says she believes Pruitt will follow-through on his promise to work with Congress to resolve the issue.

Audio: Emily Skor, Growth Energy CEO