The European Commission today issued a “general disclosure document” setting forth its proposed ruling in the anti-dumping investigation involving U.S. ethanol exports to Europe.

Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) issued a joint statement on the issue:

“We continue to cooperate with the Commission’s investigation. We are troubled by news that the Commission is recommending a 9.6 percent anti-dumping duty to its Member States. We remain convinced that if all the facts are considered, the European Union will decide not to impose any anti-dumping duties on imports of ethanol produced in the United States.”

Last year, the European Union (EU) initiated anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations regarding U.S. exports of ethanol to Europe and current U.S. policies surrounding ethanol production and use, specifically the expiring volumetric ethanol excise tax credit, or VEETC, available to blenders of ethanol and gasoline. Allegations by EU ethanol producers suggested that U.S. ethanol exports to Europe were taking advantage of the tax incentive before export, thus lowering its price and harming EU ethanol producers. However, by August of this year it appeared the issue had been resolved and the EU would not be taking any action.