By Scout Nelson
Governor Jim Pillen has joined a group of Republican governors in urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) for biofuels. The RVO sets the minimum volume of renewable fuels that must be blended into the U.S. fuel supply. The governors believe higher RVO levels are essential to meet national energy goals and support the biofuels and agriculture industries.
“Because of renewable fuels policy, we now have 24 ethanol plants. We have the infrastructure that allows Nebraska to be the epicenter of the new bioeconomy. Increasing RVO levels will benefit our state’s biofuels producers and is key to rural economic revitalization.”
In a letter addressed to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the governors highlight how past RVO levels have failed to reflect the growth of the biofuels industry. This has resulted in many ethanol and biodiesel producers cutting back or shutting down operations—impacting rural jobs and weakening agricultural markets.
“Over the past several years, the biofuels industry has made significant investments to expand domestic production capacity and strengthen feedstock supply. Unfortunately, the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) levels set by the previous Administration failed to reflect this growth.
As a result, an increasing number of biofuel producers, including ethanol and biodiesel facilities, have been forced to slow or cease operations, costing rural communities jobs and weakening key markets for American farmers.”
The letter asks the EPA to set the 2026 RVO at a minimum of 15 billion gallons for conventional ethanol and 5.25 billion gallons for biomass-based diesel. These targets are intended to reflect industry growth and promote cleaner, renewable fuel alternatives.
Other governors supporting this initiative include leaders from Iowa, Missouri, and South Dakota. Their united call aims to protect and grow the rural bioeconomy, while reinforcing the country’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.
Photo Credit: vista-mipan
Categories: Nebraska, Energy