IRFA Iowa Renewable Fuels Association : Responds to Trump Nomination of Gov. Sonny Purdue for Agriculture Secretary Read More...

Contact: Cassidy Riley
515-252-6249

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - Tonight several media outlets have reported President-elect Donald Trump has selected former Georgia Governor Sonny Purdue to serve as the United States Secretary of Agriculture. Trump is expected to make his formal announcement this Thursday. In response to these reports, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw made the following statement:

'Obviously we will work constructively with former Gov. Purdue to promote renewable fuels production and consumer access to higher ethanol and biodiesel blends. And we appreciate that President-elect Trump has shared his pro-renewable fuels standard (RFS) views with each Cabinet nominee. Having said that, there is concern in the Midwest that no Cabinet pick has a demonstrably pro-RFS track record and that there is no Midwestern representation in the Cabinet. We are grateful for President-elect Trump's support of the RFS and remain committed to working with him to enact his pro-RFS policies. However, we sincerely and emphatically urge President-elect Trump to create internal balance with his next round of agency leadership appointments, especially within the EPA. Ensuring some top appointees will bring pro-RFS views to any leadership discussion within EPA would go a long way to easing the increasing worries being expressed privately in many ag circles regarding Trump's agency picks.'

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association represents the state's liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa is the nation's leader in renewable fuels production with 43 ethanol refineries capable of producing 4 billion gallons annually - including nearly 55 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity - and 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce over 350 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at:www.IowaRFA.org.

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