A flood of illegitimate waivers from the EPA has resulted in ‘demand destruction’ for U.S. farmers, says Growth Energy CEO.

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor released the following statement before Thursday’s meeting between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to discuss the president’s plan to preserve U.S. biofuel production:

“We’re pleased the USDA is taking up the president’s call to action and pressing for an immediate E15 fix, before the start of the summer driving season. As Secretary Perdue has noted, a flood of illegitimate waivers from the EPA has resulted in ‘demand destruction’ for U.S. farmers at a time when rural communities can least afford it. Even petroleum giants like Marathon are now expecting ‘small refinery’ handouts.

“Regulators should, instead, focus on the president’s plan to reallocate lost biofuel gallons that were siphoned away by EPA waivers. President Trump promised to protect statutory targets under the RFS, and we support Secretary Perdue’s efforts to ensure the EPA upholds that commitment to rural families.

“There is no reason to delay action or attach unrelated gimmicks designed to benefit a few refinery owners. EPA Administrator Pruitt should stand by his word in 2017, when he vowed not to pursue an export scheme that would cannibalize demand for U.S. biofuels, destroy farm income, and spark retaliatory tariffs against the entire fuel and farm supply chain.”