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SIOUX CENTER, Iowa -- A farmers' cooperative in Northwest Iowa is blaming the temporary shutdown of its corn-based ethanol plant on President Trump's decision to exempt dozens of oil refineries from a federal law requiring them to blend ethanol with gasoline.

Siouxland Energy Cooperative said it idled production at its plant in Sioux Center on Sept. 9. It's the first time the producer-owned plant has ceased operations for an extended period since it opened in 2000.

Ethanol advocates and farm state lawmakers have objected to the Environmental Protection Agency issuing exemptions to 31 refineries. Siouxland Energy's board of directors said the exemptions undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard, removing 2.6 billion gallons of ethanol from production.