A leading ethanol trade group is asking EPA to clamp down on imports that may be undermining the industry.
The Renewable Fuels Association on Tuesday asked EPA Administrator Michael Regan to more closely monitor imports of used cooking oil (UCO) and tallow used to make biomass-based diesel, which the group said is disrupting U.S. biofuel markets and possibly running afoul of the federal renewable fuel standard.
RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said U.S. industry players believe some of the imports may include palm oil that’s being improperly credited toward U.S. biofuel incentives. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) echoed that complaint on a call with agriculture reporters Tuesday.
“Without action by EPA to tighten its verification and recordkeeping requirements, the deluge of questionable imports of UCO and tallow not only threaten to inflict further economic harm on U.S. farmers and biofuel producers, but also to undermine the integrity of the RFS program,” Cooper said. Imports are dampening demand for U.S.-produced distillers’ corn oil, as well as for crops used for biofuel, he said.
