Area ethanol industry officials and corn growers are disappointed with EPA’s final ethanol volume levels under the RFS. The final targets were above the earlier EPA proposal but below the statutory requirements. South Dakota Corn Grower’s Executive Director Lisa Richardson blames the President and his administration for dropping the ball on renewable fuels policy.

She says now there’s no room for the market to grow with these lower mandated volumes.

Richardson says there are a couple of options they can look at to increase ethanol demand including exports.

Richardson is also concerned about the long term effects of the EPA’s decision on the advanced biofuels and cellulosic ethanol markets.