U.S. ethanol production is on the rise!
It increased to an average of one million barrels a day. The Energy Information Administration says that in the seven days that ended January 17th inventories climbed to their highest levels seen in nine months, reaching nearly 26 million barrels.
Questions surrounding the ethanol industry took center stage during Ag Secretary Nominee Brooke Rollins’ hearing last week.
She fielded tough questions about biofuels and her family ties to the Texas oil industry. Despite the concerns, Rollins says that she is full speed ahead for America’s biofuel industry, and says that her personal life will not be a factor in her decision-making.
“It is my understanding that those reports were written over a decade ago. I haven’t seen anything more recent. Texas Public Policy Foundation puts out almost 900 to 1,000 pieces of content a year. I did not author that specific piece, but to be clear, there is no doubt— coming from Texas— I was a massive defender of fossil fuels and the importance of fossil fuels in the energy independence and energy dominance narrative. Clearly, I’ve spoken with so many of you on both sides of the aisle on this issue. I will be a Secretary for all agriculture. It is really important to me that we continue to defend and elevate and honor all sources of fuel. My former boss and current boss and his current energy dominance plan included biofuels as an important piece of his agenda. So, I really look forward to continuing that,” Rollins stated.
Rollins said that she looks forward to working on topics like the 45Z tax credit with Lee Zeldin as the Administrator of the EPA and Scott Beesent as the Treasury Secretary, both of whom have now been confirmed to their new positions.
