Letter to Gina McCarthy, Administrator Environmental Protection Agency - Request for a Public Hearing on the Renewable Fuel Standard Renewable Volume Obligations

Letter

Dear Administrator McCarthy:

As you are aware, EPA will be hosting a public hearing on June 25, 2015, in Kansas City, Kansas on the proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs). We write to urge you to also hold a public hearing on the proposed RVOs in Nebraska. Nebraska is the second largest ethanol producing state in the nation. Our state's 24 ethanol plants have a collective production capacity in excess of 2 billion gallons. According to a recent economic analysis conducted by the University of Nebraska, ethanol contributes $5 billion to Nebraska's economy per year and provides Nebraskans with more than 1,300 full time jobs.

Nebraskans, from the producer to the end user, are uniquely positioned to provide EPA with advice on how "constraints in the fuel market" can be overcome, allowing statutory targets to be met. Record corn harvests, 700,000 million bushels of which supply Nebraska's ethanol plants each year, show the supply exists, but excessive government regulation continues to prevent this clean, efficient and affordable fuel source from reaching consumers. It is imperative EPA meet with and address the concerns of those most impacted by its decision.

The people of Nebraska welcome you to the "Good Life," and we look forward to working with you to bring certainty to this important American industry.

Sincerely,

Adrian Smith
Deb Fischer
Ben Sasse
Jeff Fortenberry
Brad Ashford