Iowa Congressional Delegation Invites EPA Acting Administrator to Iowa

The entire Iowa Congressional delegation has invited U.S. Environmental Protection Agency acting administrator Andrew Wheeler to Iowa to meet with those who directly rely on the Renewable Fuel Standard. In a letter to Wheeler, the delegation called renewable fuels “critical to achieving energy independence in the United States,” while highlighting the importance of the RFS to Iowa’s economy. The letter, signed by Iowa Congressman David Young, and others, discussed the delegation's concern about the number of small refinery "hardship" waivers issued in 2016 and 2017. The delegation also asked Wheeler to reconsider the proposed rule and to account for any waived RFS obligations so they do not reduce the overall level of renewable fuels blended. Wheeler is serving as the acting administrator of EPA, taking the post following the resignation of former administrator Scott Pruitt. The EPA vastly expanded the hardship waivers under Pruitt’s watch.