Members of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus held a virtual town hall Wednesday to discuss the challenges currently facing the ethanol industry and what can be done to help.
Participating in the meeting were caucus members including Reps. Collin Peterson (D-MN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), and Rodney Davis (R-IL) as well as ethanol and agricultural group leaders.
House Agriculture Committee Chair Peterson says while the Senate has yet to vote on the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, he will not vote for any bill that provides no aid for biofuels producers – and he is still hopeful USDA could yet find dollars for producers in the previous legislation.
Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) on help for biofuels producers 4:45
On Thursday, newly updated EPA Small Refinery Exemptions dashboard revealed that 52 new petitions have been received from small refineries seeking retroactive exemptions from their Renewable Fuel Standard requirements in prior years dating back to 2011.
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper addressed the issue of waivers during the town hall meeting, saying that it is more critical than ever that EPA enforce the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
RFA CEO Geoff Cooper remarks on waivers 2:03
National Corn Growers Association CEO Jon Doggett, also on the town hall meeting, explained how significantly those waivers have impacted corn farmers.
NCGA CEO Jon Doggett remarks on waivers 1:49
National Sorghum Producers (NSP) CEO Tim Lust participated in the town hall meeting to talk about the importance of the ethanol market for sorghum farmers.
Biofuels Caucus Town Hall NSP CEO Tim Lust 3:05