Today, Representatives Dave Loebsack (IA-02), Cindy Axne (IA-03) and Abby Finkenauer (IA-01), released the following statement on the lack of support for the biofuel industry in the United States Department of Agriculture’s recently-announced assistance program for farmers and producers affected by coronavirus. “It is severely disappointing that the USDA is leaving biofuels behind in the recently announced Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Biofuel plants are critical parts of our rural commun... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack today questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler about the recent 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that found the EPA exceeded its authority in issuing small refinery exemptions (SRE) to companies who had not received waivers in the prior year. The Court concluded that the EPA may only “extend” existing exemptions and cannot grant a new waiver to a company that had not consistently held one. During the House Energy and Commerce Env... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack, co-chair of the House Biofuels Caucus, released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its final rule for 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) blending requirements. The final rule does nothing to address the misuse of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) and reneges on the President’s promise made to Iowa farmers in September to account for SREs using actual waived gallons, not DOE recommendations. “The final RFS rule set forth by the... Read more

Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02), Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01), and Congresswoman Cindy Axne (IA-03) sent a letter to Russell Vought, the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as well as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and President Trump, about the EPA’s October supplemental proposed rule regarding the reallocation of Small Refinery Exemptions (SRE) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). On Friday, December 6, 2019 th... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new supplemental proposed rule to account for gallons waived through Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) in the nation’s biofuel mandate. “It is outrageous that not even two weeks after the President and the EPA announced a ‘deal’ to offset the excessive number of SREs they granted to big, profitable oil companies, they fall back on their word. This proposed rule provides no ... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after reports surfaced that said President Trump and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have halted work on drafting a deal with the biofuels industry. “Once again, President Trump and the EPA have sided with Big Oil at the expense of America’s farmers, who are already hurting from this administration’s actions to sabotage the RFS by issuing an excessive number of Small Refinery Exemptions. If true, this report is a slap in ... Read more

Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack released a statement following reports in the media that President Trump has ordered the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other Cabinet members to review the excessive use of the Small Refinery Exemption program (SRE). Earlier this year, Loebsack, co-chair of the House Biofuels Caucus, called on the EPA to suspend issuing SREs until a review of the program had been completed. Since this administration began using SREs to help prop up... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that he has reintroduced legislation to establish a National Flood Center to conduct research on flooding, flood prevention and other flood-related issues. The National Flood Research and Education Center Act (NFRECA) will establish a consortium within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that includes institutes of higher education in order to advance the understanding of the causes of flooding, implement advanced flood prediction ... Read more

Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the EPA released new rules that will allow for the year-round sale of gasoline mixed with E-15. “I am pleased that E-15 will now be available to consumers year-round. It is unfortunate that it has taken this long, but this rule will finally remove this unnecessary barrier to expanding the use of renewable fuels in time for this summer driving season. Allowing the sale of E-15 during the summer months will give consumers a low... Read more

Congressmen Dave Loebsack and Darin LaHood today led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in calling for a multi-year extension of the biodiesel tax credit. In a letter to House Leadership, the lawmakers called for swift action in the House to ensure our farmers and producers have the certainty they need to support the more than 60,000 good paying jobs here in the U.S. that are part of the biodiesel industry. A full copy of the letter, signed by 44 Members, can be found here. “We believe in ma... Read more