KEYC Mankato - Ag-state Senators Cool to EPA's Proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2017

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The Environmental Protection Agency announces its proposed Renewable Fuel Standard targets for 2017.

The agency is calling for 18.8 Billion gallons of ethanol and other biofuels to be blended into the fuel supply next year 2017, up 4% from this year's goals but far below the 24 Billion gallons targeted in legislation passed in 2007.

Producers and farm--state lawmakers are expressing disappointment with the proposal.

A statement from Sen. Al Franken says today's proposal isn't strong enough.

"We have to break big oil's monopoly on our nation's transportation fuels, and to do that, we need to be investing in more renewable energy," the statement says in part.

Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley agrees.

"Policy ought to encourage innovation and investment so fuel diversity will continue moving forward,'' he said in a statement."

The EPA will announce its final renewable fuel levels for 2017 later this year.

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