Nebraska Panhandle News

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts recently addressed the need for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adhere to the law concerning Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs). During a nominations hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Ricketts questioned Sean Donahue, nominated to serve as the EPA's general counsel, about this matter.

"As the general counsel, you’ll give the advice to the agency with regard to what they’re supposed to be doing to follow the law," Ricketts noted. "One of those laws, the Renewable Fuel Standard, very clearly mandates periodic rulemakings for the Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs)."

Ricketts criticized the previous administration for failing to comply with these legal requirements. He stated, "In June of 2022, the Biden administration published retroactive rulemakings in 2020-2021 and 2022 that under-protected biofuel volumes by billions of gallons." He further mentioned that the RVOs for 2023 were published late, and those due in November 2024 will not be available until December 2025. "Again, the last administration failed to follow the law," he added.

During the hearing, Ricketts pressed Donahue, "What I’m asking you is you will you give the administration, the EPA, the advice that they need to follow the statutory RVOs and do it in a timely manner as the law prescribes?"

In response, Donahue assured, "We will follow the law, Senator."

The hearing also considered nominations for Brian Nesvik as Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Jessica Kramer as an Assistant Administrator of the EPA, and Sean Donahue for his role.