The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced an agreement on renewable fuel standards last Friday. The agreement includes a commitment for 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol beginning in 2020, provide relief for small refineries, and to streamline rulemaking for E15.  Last month, Senate Finance Chair Julie Rosen (Vernon Center) and Senate Republicans sent a letter urging President Trump and the EPA to revisit energy policies to help Minnesota farmers, businesses, and ethanol producers.

Senator Rosen issued the following statement in response to the renewable fuel standards agreement.

“I sent a letter to the president urging him to increase biofuel production precisely because it so critical to Minnesota’s farmers and ethanol producers. Some, like Corn Plus in Winnebago, have already had to close. I am thrilled the president listened to our concerns and addressed the issue so rapidly. Agriculture is the lifeblood of Minnesota’s economy; when farmers are strong, so is our entire state. This is fantastic news.”

Read what other Senate Republicans said about the agreement.