Last month, Westrom and fellow senators urged Trump and the EPA to renew commitment to biofuels

Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake) applauded a recent agreement reached by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and President Donald Trump to strengthen the federal government’s promotion of domestic biofuels production. Significantly, the agreement ensures that more than 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol will be blended into the country’s fuel supply beginning in 2020. This agreement follows a letter authored by Senator Westrom and other Minnesota Senate Republicans last month that urged President Trump and the EPA to revisit energy policies to help Minnesota farmers, rural agribusinesses, and ethanol producers through ceasing “the issuance of small [oil] refinery waivers.”

“The only two oil wells in Minnesota are ethanol and biodiesel production,” said Senator Westrom, Chair of the Minnesota Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Finance Committee. “With commodity prices at less than ideal levels, value-added agricultural opportunities like biofuel production are vital in keeping strong demand for agriculture commodities, our Minnesota farm families, and rural agribusinesses. This agreement signifies that President Trump not only listened to our concerns, but continues to support farmers in Minnesota and across our country. When paired with President Trump’s previously instituted year-round E-15 rule, the Renewable Fuel Standard agreement should strengthen the demand for Minnesota corn and soybeans and bring much needed stability for our farmers and agricultural businesses.”