Heitkamp Calls on EPA to Implement Policies That Support Farmers, Producers & Energy Independence

Press Release

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today welcomed news that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will not implement its proposed rules that would have hurt North Dakota's farmers, producers, and biodiesel production, and hindered the country's ability to become North American energy independent. Heitkamp also called on EPA to implement policies that better support North Dakota farmers and give them the certainty they need to do their jobs.

The announcement comes after Heitkamp has been fighting against the EPA's proposed Renewable Fuel Standard rules since they were introduced last fall. To push back on the policies, Heitkamp brought EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to North Dakota in February to hear firsthand from farmers and producers about how reducing the required amount of biofuels produced in the U.S. would severely damage North Dakota's vibrant agricultural and renewable fuels industry. Heitkamp called on McCarthy to instead implement rules that promote certainty for farmers and biofuels producers, and that continue to provide a path forward for increased production and use of renewable fuels.

"Farmers in North Dakota know how the biofuels industry isn't just boosting our rural economies or supporting good jobs across the country -- but it's also helping pave the way toward North American energy independence," said Heitkamp. "As the EPA considers its policies in the coming years, I'll continue to press the agency not to just delay its rules, but make a decision -- and a good decision that supports our farmers and gives them the certainty they need to do their jobs, while showing a commitment to a true all-of-the-above energy strategy. When I brought EPA Administrator McCarthy to North Dakota earlier this year, she heard the serious concerns of our farmers and renewable fuels producers. I'll keep up the fight to make sure the EPA implements policies that don't tear at the fabric of our communities, but instead support our farmers, their communities, and the important work they do for our country."

Earlier this year, joined by third generation farmer from Mantador, Terry Georger, Heitkamp announced a study showing that the lack of certainty of federal policies is already hurting farmers and producers that help our country become more energy independent. According to the findings, nearly 80 percent of U.S. biodiesel producers have scaled back production this year and almost 6 in 10 have idled production altogether. Additionally, two-thirds of producers said they have already reduced or anticipate reducing their workforce as a result of the downturn.

Immediately after the EPA first released its proposed Renewable Fuel Standard rule, Heitkamp met with Administrator Gina McCarthy in December 2013 to stress how reductions in American produced biofuels would damage North Dakota's agriculture and renewable fuels industry. She followed this discussion by calling on McCarthy to push for rules that keep biofuel projections on target with those already in law, and has continued to press the EPA and Administration -- both in meetings with top White House officials and through calls from a bipartisan group of Senators -- to reverse the current Renewable Fuel Standard reduction decision, and to instead put forward a new proposal that would promote investment in the next generation of biofuels.

The EPA's proposed Renewable Fuel Standard rule would establish a biodiesel standard of 1.28 billion gallons this year, forcing many farmers and producers to shut their doors. But last year, biodiesel producers -- using products grown on farms in North Dakota and throughout the country, like canola and soybeans -- generated a record of nearly 1.8 billion gallons, with plants in almost every state in the U.S. supporting about 62,200 jobs. And biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 57 percent to 86 percent compared to petroleum diesel.

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