[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 18, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7125-S7126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                            Renewable Fuels

  Mr. President, one piece of good news for corn farmers came this year 
with the administration's announcement that it would permit the year-
round

[[Page S7126]]

sale of E15, which is 15 percent ethanol-blended fuel. I spent over a 
decade advocating the year-round sale of E15, and I was very pleased by 
the administration's announcement.
  However, for corn farmers to see the full benefit of year-round E15 
sales, the Environmental Protection Agency needs to start accounting 
for its unprecedented use of small refinery exemptions. These so-called 
hardship waivers should be limited only to instances where small 
refiners would no longer be profitable or competitive by complying with 
their blending obligation under the renewable fuel standard.
  On Friday, the EPA is poised to finalize a supplemental rule that it 
assures us will deliver on the President's commitments to account for 
waivers and to truly blend 15 billion gallons of ethanol each year.
  However, based on this EPA's track record, it is difficult to trust 
it will retreat from its aggressive issuance of small refinery 
exemptions. I hope the EPA proves me wrong, but I think I speak for 
most of farm country when I say I will believe it when I see it.
  On the topic of renewable fuels, I am happy to be able to say that 
the biodiesel tax credit will be extended for 5 years, through 2022, as 
part of this year's tax extenders deal. Biodiesel is a good deal for 
farmers, as it adds value to each bushel of soybeans by making use of 
the oil from bean processing, and it is a good deal for our environment 
because the use of this fuel lowers emissions.