Obama administration officials have declined to hold a public hearing in Iowa on a plan to cut the Renewable Fuel Standard volume requirements. Following that decision, Iowa Renewable Fuel Executive Director Monte Shaw says Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is moving forward with his own RFS public hearing that will be held January 23 in Des Moines.

Shaw says even though the federal officials won’t be there and the fact it’s just five days before the deadline for public RFS comments, having the hearing will be helpful because EPA will have to consider all of those comments before making their final decision.

He says if the present EPA RFS proposal holds up, it will devastate Iowa’s economy and lead to another farm crisis. He say the negative effects are already being felt.

Those who wish to testify at the January 23 hearing need to contact the Governor’s policy advisor by 9 am January 21.  You can access her website at Julie.vandeHoef@iowa.gov.