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Stand firm on RFS, says Ernst

Iowa U.S. Senator Joni Ernst tells Brownfield that biofuels supporters need to “stand firm” on the Renewable Fuel Standard, even though President Trump is pushing for compromise on the issue.

“We want to make sure that it stays strong and that it is robust,” she says. “We’ll continue to work the issue with the White House. He (Trump) made commitment to Iowa’s farmers and our ethanol production facilities, and we want to make sure he’s standing by that promise.”

Trump has called for another meeting, where both sides will present studies on the impact of their various proposals.

“One was a RIN cap, which we don’t necessarily favor. But I guess we can run numbers and see what various caps would do to the industry,” Ernst says. “I don’t know if that meeting will happen this week, but we anticipate that we’ll be called back to share that information.”

Ernst and other renewable fuels advocates have argued an artificial cap on RIN prices would weaken the RFS. They say allowing year-round sales of E15 with an RVP waiver would solve the problem.

AUDIO: Senator Joni Ernst discusses RFS and trade issues