Nebraska farmers encouraged to submit comments to the EPA regarding WOTUS and RFS

UPDATE: This story has been corrected from its original release on August 8, 2017 to reflect the 30-day extension on the WOTUS comment period to September 27, 2017.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska corn farmers now have an opportunity to share their opinions with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on two issues impacting agricultural policy and regulation. Farmers are encouraged to take advantage of the open comment period to show their support of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and call for the repeal of the 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.

The 2015 WOTUS rule has been widely criticized for unconstitutionally overextending the reach of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Through this regulation, critics say the government has too much power to control smaller bodies of water, such as puddles on farmland and in ditches.

“As farmers, we must align together to repeal the 2015 WOTUS rule,” said Dan Wesley, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. “Many of us have small puddles on our farms that we only see after a heavy rain, which are unnecessarily regulated. The WOTUS regulations make it difficult and expensive to farm our lands by requiring unnecessary permits and environmental assessments.”

The RFS has promoted economic growth for farmers and rural communities through the development and enhancement of biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol. The amount of renewable fuels blended into the U.S. fuel supply is set by the RFS. In addition to making strides towards energy independence, the RFS has been successful in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as the RFS also establishes GHG reduction criteria.

The EPA is responsible for ensuring the fuel sold in the U.S. contains the correct volume of renewable fuel. Each year on November 30, the EPA sets the annual renewable volume obligation (RVO) for the following year. For the 2017 year, the RVO was calculated at 15 billion gallons for conventional ethanol, which is in line with RFS statute and Congress’ intent.

“We’ve made great progress with corn-based ethanol,” said David Merrell, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. “Ethanol is produced more efficiently than ever, it’s high performing and is cleaner burning than ever before. EPA must maintain the progress of the RFS and issue the 2018 RVO on time and in accordance with the law.”

Through the National Corn Growers Association’s website, farmers have an opportunity to take advantage of the open comment period to voice their opinions on WOTUS and the RFS. To comment on the repeal of the 2015 WOTUS rule, farmers can visit www.ncga.com/wotus by September 27, 2017. To comment on RFS and RVO, visit www.ncga.com/rfs by August 31, 2017.

The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) is a state-funded agency funded through a ½-cent-per-bushel checkoff on all corn marketed in the state. The mission of the NCB is to promote the value of corn by creating opportunities. Checkoff funds are invested in programs of market development, research, promotion and education. The NCB is made up of nine farmer directors.

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) is a grassroots commodity organization that works to enhance the profitability of corn producers. NeCGA has more than 2,400 dues-paying members in Nebraska. NeCGA is affiliated with the National Corn Growers Association, which has more than 40,000 dues-paying members nationwide.