Governor Noem Calls Trump's Biofuels Plan a "Big Win for Producers"

Statement

Governor Kristi Noem, a long-time ethanol advocate, today applauded the Trump administration's new plan to promote biofuels and expand ethanol production.

"This is a big win for producers," said Noem. "With expanded ethanol capabilities, producers will see an increased market for their product and improved long-term stability. This move is absolutely critical for South Dakota farmers and ranchers as recent years have seen lower commodity prices and unstable market conditions. Thank you, President Trump, for supporting agriculture."

The administration's ethanol plan:

-Meets Renewable Volume Obligation at 15 billion gallons
-Creates additional infrastructure funding for E15 and E85
-Includes accurate accounting for Small Regulatory Exemptions starting in 2020 Renewable Volume Obligations
-Reaffirms President Trump's commitment to addressing ethanol and biodiesel trade issues
-Directs the EPA to initiate a rulemaking process to streamline labeling and remove other regulatory barriers that burden fuel retailers offering higher biofuels blends

In 2018, South Dakota was ranked sixth in the nation for ethanol production capacity and accounted for seven percent of total ethanol fuel production nationally. Last year, South Dakota's 16 ethanol plants produced more than 1 billion gallons of ethanol.

Source