(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she’s talked directly with President Trump about the furor over proposed E-P-A rules which Ernst says do not fulfill the deal Trump struck in September on the renewable fuels standard. “I did visit with the president actually, again, two nights ago on this issue and several other issues, but largely focused on the RFS,” Ernst said. “And the president is upset that this is not the same formula that we agreed on in the Oval Office.”

Ernst says there is what she calls “an opportunity for correction,” but she’s not sure now is the time for that to happen. A public comment period is currently underway on the E-P-A’s mandate on ethanol and biodiesel production in 2020. “When I spoke to the president the other night, we would be circling back up, so I do anticipate that between the White House and the staff that’s actively working on the RFS, we’ll be able to visit again with them,” Ernst says.

Ernst and Iowa’s other U.S. Senator, Chuck Grassley, have filed written statement today (Thursday) with the E-P-A, urging agency officials to “uphold their end of the bargain” that Trump struck with the biofuels industry. “I think with overwhelming support, we can hope to fix this error that has been made, you know, it’s not an error. I think Andrew Wheeler, of course, did it on purpose,” Ernst says.

Ernst has previously called for E-P-A Administrator Andrew Wheeler’s removal if the E-P-A doesn’t adjust its plan for next year’s federal production mandate for ethanol and biodiesel.