January 14, 2026

Senator Grassley Seeks Answers to Questions Raised by Midwest Attorneys General Regarding “Irreconcilable Statements” Made by Refiners Seeking RFS Exemptions

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter today to the U.S. EPA and three other federal agencies seeking an update on actions they have taken to respond to serious concerns regarding renewable fuel standard (RFS) refinery exemptions raised by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and two of her neighboring colleagues.

Bird, along with the Attorneys General of South Dakota and Nebraska, sent a joint letter to four federal agencies in October 2025 to request an investigation into whether some refiners could be misleading regulators while seeking exemptions from the RFS. Their letter provided a myriad of examples of refiner statements about their strong fiscal position during the same timeframe in which they were claiming disproportionate economic harm while seeking RFS waivers.

“Iowa Renewable Fuels Association members thank Senator Grassley for this timely letter, keeping the pressure onEPA to get answers to these very serious questions,” said Monte Shaw, IRFA Executive Director. “As we continue to see RFS waivers granted, it is imperative that the integrity of the RFS stays intact and transparency is returned to the process. The rural economy is depending on a fully and properly enforced RFS.”

“Iowa’s corn growers applaud Senator Grassley, the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, for his letter seeking updated action on the EPA’s investigation into refiners seeking RFS exemptions, ensuring the EPA remains accountable on issues that directly affect Iowa corn farmers,” said Iowa Corn Growers Association Vice President Steve Kuiper, a farmer from Knoxville, Iowa. “Protecting the Renewable Fuel Standard is vital to Iowa’s corn industry and we must ensure it is not being taken advantage of.”