Grassley, with Ernst’s support, leads on biodiesel

As General Manager of Western Dubuque Biodiesel, I want to thank Sen. Grassley for leading a bipartisan Senate effort urging the Environmental Protection Agency to increase volumes of biomass-based diesel, like biodiesel, under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard. His leadership is critical, but now the EPA must act.

Our plant currently sits idle. We made the difficult decision in December, in large part due to weak RFS volumes that do not reflect our industry’s production capacity. We are committed to our employees and to keeping jobs in rural Iowa, but without action the future of biodiesel production — and the economic stability of our community — is at serious risk.

Biodiesel is a proven, homegrown fuel that enhances American energy security and strengthens markets for our farmers. The EPA should set volume levels that support domestic energy production, not hinder it. For 2026, our industry is asking EPA to set the biomass-based diesel volumes at 5.25 billion gallons. We need certainty and strong commitments to prevent further plant shutdowns and job losses.

Sen. Joni Ernst also signed onto the bipartisan letter to EPA urging action on the RFS, and we thank her, too. The message from the Senate is clear: Increase volumes to match production and demand, and provide the long-term stability needed for investment in rural America. I urge the EPA to listen and act before it’s too late.

Tom Brooks

Farley