Grassley Criticizes EPA’s UCO Import Verification Process

Grassley criticized EPA for relying heavily on foreign records to verify compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), calling the approach inadequate.

Senator Chuck Grassley
Senator Chuck Grassley
(Farm Journal)

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) intensified his criticism of EPA over its method for verifying used cooking oil (UCO) imports. With a record 3.2 billion pounds of UCO imported through August 2024 — enough to displace 270 million bu. of soybeans — concerns are mounting about the impact on American farmers, the renewable fuel industry, and broader trade and environmental issues. Grassley criticized EPA for relying heavily on foreign records to verify compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), calling the approach inadequate. There are fears that imported UCO may be fraudulently blended with virgin vegetable oils, such as palm oil, undermining U.S. tax incentives. Grassley and other senators are demanding a more robust and transparent verification process to ensure the integrity of the RFS and safeguard American interests.

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