Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt spent part of a trip in Kansas at an ethanol production facility. Pruitt’s trip included a stop at the East Kansas Agri-Energy ethanol plant, along with meeting local agriculture groups. The visit comes a week after the White House stopped a proposal that ethanol groups say would harm the industry, allowing RIN exports, but the proposal also included year-round E15 sales. Pruitt told the group he believes E15 should be available year-round. He said the EPA has the authority and will seek a waiver to allow year-round E15 sales. But, the ethanol industry has seen other perceived attacks, including hardship waivers under the Renewable Fuel Standard account for an estimated demand loss of 1.56 billion gallons, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. Those in the ethanol industry meeting with Pruitt didn’t hold back, expressing their anger towards him and the EPA. Via Twitter, Pruitt said the meeting was “candid and productive.” He is scheduled to visit South Dakota Wednesday.
