There are two big issues for corn growers this year in Washington, DC, climate change and higher blends for ethanol. I spoke with two representatives of the National Corn Growers Association at NAFB’s Washington Watch Issues Forum about them.

Unlike the weather, not only is everybody talking about climate change, but they are trying to do something about it – and the concern is that farmers could get caught in the storm. According to National Corn Growers Association Public Policy Director, Rod Snyder, climate change has emerged as one of the top priorities in this Congressional session and pressure is being put to bear to get some kind of legislation passed. “We’re taking a look at the legislation as it’s being drafted now and one of the things that we are closely watching is to make sure that agriculture is not part of the ‘capped sector,'” says Snyder. “We are going to try to ensure that our farmers is not regulated under a cap because our emissions are very diffuse, much like a non-point source situation, and it would be very expensive for the government to try and regulate our sources of greenhouse gas emissions.”

Listen to my interview with Rod here: ww-09-snyder.mp3

NCGA’s Jessica Bennett is actively involved in the regulatory issue of increasing the blend level for ethanol allowed in gasoline to 15 percent. “As corn growers, ethanol is top priority for our association,” Bennett said. “We’re quickly approaching a ten percent blend wall of ethanol that can be blended into conventional gasoline and we need to move beyond that.”

The Environment Protection Agency is currently seeking comments on a waiver that would allow blends of up to 15 percent. “We’re encouraging all of our growers to go to the legislative action center on our website to submit comments to EPA to encourage the granting of that waiver application,” said Bennett. In the first week after the comment period was opened, over 300 comments were submitted to EPA by corn growers.

Listen to my interview with Jessica here: ww-09-bennett.mp3