In a joint letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, America’s top biofuel and farm advocates called on the House and Senate to ensure the next round of COVID-19 relief does not overlook ethanol and biodiesel production.
“The situation we face is dire,” wrote biofuel and farm advocates. “More than 130 biofuel plants have already partially or fully shut down as motor fuel demand plunged to 50-year lows. America’s biofuel plants purchase annually more than one-third of U.S. corn and U.S. soybean oil, and the loss of those markets has depressed farm income and will continue to push corn and soybean prices down dramatically. The damage has rippled across the entire agricultural supply chain.”
The letter mentions the U.S. Department of Agriculture excluded the biofuel sector from initial aid under the CARES Act.
“While it is important that biofuel producers are included in any infrastructure or tax legislation designed to hasten America’s long-term economic recovery from COVID-19, relief is needed now to ensure these producers are positioned to bring renewable fuel production back online when conditions improve,” wrote the rural leaders. “It is vital that the next COVID-19 relief package includes immediate, temporary, and direct assistance to help the U.S. biofuel industry retain its skilled workforce and mitigate the impact of plant closures on the food and feed supply chain and rural communities.”
“We look forward to working with you to ensure that America’s biofuel producers get through the crisis and stand ready to fuel a robust recovery across rural America,” they added.