Energy

Floor Speech

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Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, while I am on the topic of energy, I would like to briefly comment on yesterday's announcements from the EPA and USDA concerning biofuels. To put it simply, the administration can't have it both ways on the renewable fuel standard, something agriculture stakeholders in South Dakota know all too well.

Yesterday, the EPA announced a proposal to take the unprecedented step of clawing back previously set biofuel blending targets; 2020 volumes would be reduced by 2\1/2\ billion gallons, and 2021 would see a reduction.

Now, the EPA is trying to sell this by simultaneously proposing an increase in the 2022 blending volumes, which on its own would be favorable, but it is far from enough to make up for the lost gallons.

And keep in mind that the EPA's proposal pulls back blending obligations from a final rule, giving stakeholders little confidence that this promised 2022 increase won't meet the same fate. Again, not every component of yesterday's announcement is bad on its own.

Signaling an end to the out-of-control small refinery exemption program is long overdue, and it is consistent with the renewable fuel standard and a Tenth Circuit Court ruling. It is also good to see the Department of Agriculture moving forward with assistance funds for biofuel producers, but this was funding signed into law last December. It is almost as if it was withheld from our producers for months so that USDA could help the EPA sell our ag stakeholders a bill of goods.

I urge the administration to make good on its commitments to our farmers and to finally leverage American biofuels for the energy and environmental solutions they can provide.

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