Rep. Rudy Yakym. Photo provided by the office of Rep. Rudy Yakym.

News Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Rudy Yakym joined over 45 Senate and House colleagues in urging the Environmental Protection Agency to finalize a rule on imported Renewable Identification Numbers and hold firm on the proposed biomass-based 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.

The members said in their letter, “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. 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, the EPA proposed record biomass-based diesel volumes in its Set 2 proposal and included a 50% reduction in RINs for imported renewable fuels and fuels made from foreign feedstocks. This is referred to as Import RIN reduction.

The members continued in the letter, “The Import RIN reduction also aligns with congressional intent under the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, which prioritizes domestic feedstocks. 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.

The letter was led by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Additional cosigners include Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Todd Young (R-IN), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Michael Rounds (R-SD), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).

In the House, in addition to Rep. Yakym, the letter was signed by Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Don Bacon (R-NE), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Max Miller (R-OH), James Baird (R-IN), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), James Comer (R-KY), Mike Bost (R-IL), David Kustoff (R-TN), John Rose (R-TN), Erin Houchin (R-IN), Mark Messmer (R-IN), Ron Estes (R-KS), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Mark Alford (R-MO), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Mike Flood (R-NE), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Trent Kelly (R-MS), Carol Miller (R-WV) and Adrian Smith (R-NE).

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

Text of the letter can be found here.