Vilsack Warns Administration Continues to Ignore Biofuels
by Jacqui Fatka (Feedstuffs) … (Former Agriculture Secretary Tom) Vilsack said the biofuel industry hasn’t been invited to the White House like the airline or oil industries have to discuss ways to help cover their losses. A number of conservative lawmakers are saying now is the time for the Administration to turn its back totally and completely on the Renewable Fuel Standard.
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Vilsack noted that when he was agriculture secretary, the cotton industry faced similar challenges, and USDA looked for creative ways to use the Commodity Credit Corp. (CCC) to support cotton growers and cotton gins. Vilsack said by offering expanded authority to the CCC, USDA could take a similar approach to providing help and assistance.
“This would send a strong signal to farmers that the Renewable Fuels Standard is still valued and needed and necessary and essential to the future of agriculture and rural economies,” Vilsack said.
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Finkenauer (Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D., Iowa)), who was also on the call, said the biofuel industry desperately needs help and attention due to decisions of the Trump Administration. “I cannot stress enough how disappointed I was to see biofuels left out of aid from USDA,” she said.
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Through the original Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership grants and private fundraising, Growth Energy and Prime the Pump shattered the status quo and supported the installation of E15 at more than 2,000 retail locations. READ MORE
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