Senators question Pruitt about ethanol in fuel

Almost three years ago, Attorney General Scott Pruitt filed a legal brief with the U.S. Supreme Court over a federal mandate concerning how much ethanol should be blended into the nation’s fuel supply.

He said increased-ethanol fuel posed a risk to the fuel systems of many vehicles and could even void certain vehicle warranties. The massive use of corn to make ethanol could drive up the cost of food, he argued.

The Environmental Protection Agency ultimately lowered the target for how much ethanol had to be mixed into the fuel supply under the so-called Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Now, as the prospective nominee for administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, he is getting questions from leaders of corn-growing states. They want to ensure he won’t attack existing ethanol requirements.

He met Thursday with Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, which will hold confirmation hearings for Pruitt in coming weeks. Others in attendance also included Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

“In regards to RFS, it is imperative that the law is followed,” Ernst said. “I received assurances from Mr. Pruitt that he intends to do so, and I will hold him to that commitment.”

President-elect Donald Trump spoke in favor of ethanol while campaigning in Midwest states.

“I was pleased to hear that President-elect Trump made it clear to Mr. Pruitt that he cares about the RFS,” Ernst said. “Mr. Pruitt told me in our meeting that the role of the EPA is to enforce the law as written by Congress, and not undermine the RFS.”

Grassley said he convened the meeting “because he wanted to convey the importance of biofuels to job creation, energy security, the environment and meeting the country’s significant energy needs.”

“We got a very positive response on Mr. Pruitt’s support not just for the RFS but more importantly, for the rule of law,” he said. “The rule of law is that what Congress passed, the EPA is supposed to follow and not undermine it, the way the current administration has done with the RFS.

“The purpose of the meeting was to convey the contributions that Iowa and other renewable energy-producing states contribute to the economy and otherwise.

“From the standpoint of what Presidentelect Trump wants to accomplish, renewable energy supports a high number of jobs, 43,000 jobs in Iowa just with biofuels and another 7,000 jobs in wind energy.

“We have to import less oil from the Mideast because we have a very vibrant ethanol industry. As far as whether I’ll support the nomination, I tend to wait for nomination hearings before making up my mind. We got a positive comment that the law’s going to be followed, and that’s very, very important.”

Pruitt’s office did not immediately release a comment about the meeting.