Grassley leads dozens of colleagues in calling on EPA to finalize import RIN reduction rule

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, a lifelong family farmer and a member of the Senate ag committee, led over 45 Senate and House colleagues in urging the U.S. EPA to finalize a rule on imported renewable identification number (RIN) credits and hold firm on the proposed biobased diesel volumes.

In their bipartisan, bicameral letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the members state such measures would ensure the Renewable Fuel Standard continues to strengthen American energy security and support both American farmers and domestic renewable fuel producers.

“At a time when many farmers are struggling to break even, all federal biofuels policies should prioritize domestic agriculture and biofuel production, not foreign fuels made from foreign feedstocks,” the members said. “Additionally, while farmers face the uncertainty of foreign market demand, the import RIN reduction would provide essential support for the farm economy so farmers could sell more products domestically.”

In June, EPA proposed record biobased diesel (BBD) volumes in its Set 2 proposal and included a 50 percent reduction in RINs for imported renewable fuels and fuels made from foreign feedstocks.

“The import RIN reduction also aligns with congressional intent under the 45Z clean fuel production credit, which prioritizes domestic feedstocks,” the members said. “Aligning EPA’s policy with this standard helps level the playing field for domestic feedstock and biofuel producers with imported feedstocks, such as Brazilian tallow and so called ‘used cooking oil’ from China, which would otherwise directly undercut U.S. energy, agriculture and manufacturing.” 

The EPA’s own analysis highlights the positive impact of the import RIN proposal, saying it will create jobs and generate economic growth in farming, transportation and manufacturing—particularly in rural communities.

Organizations endorsing the letter include the American Soybean Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Oilseed Processors Association and the National Sorghum Producers.

Grassley helped establish the RFS in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and has worked to ensure the executive branch implements the law as intended.

In April, Grassley and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, urged EPA to restore integrity, stability and growth to the RFS and the U.S. biofuel sector by raising volume levels for biobased diesel and advanced biofuels.

The Biden-era EPA set volumes at levels that fail to align with market conditions and production outlook, which has contributed to biodiesel plant closures in the Midwest.

The text of the letter can be found here.