Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) on Tuesday met with the Illinois Farm Bureau to discuss its continued support and investment in Illinois’ agricultural communities.
Durbin and the bureau also discussed the impact of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to set production levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard, and other agricultural priorities.
“The EPA’s decision on proposed biofuels requirements was disappointing, but it’s not the end of the road,” Durbin said. “The (U.S. Department of Agriculture) will soon be awarding grants to states that are testing innovative ways to distribute higher blends of renewable fuel. I want Illinois to take advantage of this program and firmly establish itself as a leader in growing the industry.”
The EPA announced at the end of May biofuels volume standards for 2014-16. The EPA proposal calls for 14 billion gallons of conventional biofuels in 2016, or 1 billion gallons less than Congress requested for the same year.
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