One of ethanol’s champions in Congress visited the National Ethanol Conference this week to chat with members of the industry and Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper about many issues, including his strong support of nationwide, year-round E15.
Feenstra said it was frustrating to get so close with the inclusion of the provision in the Continuing Resolution in December and then to have it pulled at the last minute. “We said we’re going to do a clean CR until Marsh 15, so now we’re back at the table again,” said Feenstra. “We really want (E15) codified, I really believe within the next several months this is going to happen. There’s just not a lot of push back.”
In his discussion with Cooper, Feenstra also talked about the Inflation Reduction Act and 45Z tax credits.
“Trump said we want to be energy independent. So how we start looking at energy independence, right? It starts with growing our own energy, right? Ethanol. How do we do it? Well, that’s where 45Z comes in,” said Feenstra. “Last year we passed a bill for $12 billion to give farmers to help them out. We don’t want that. We want to make sure that we have a place to go with our corn and soy beans and that’s where we have a 45Z and and what it will do to grow our economy.”
Feenstra also met with reporters at the NEC who asked about SAF, farm bill, cuts at USDA, exports and more. Listen below.
Rep. Feenstra and Geoff Cooper (22:56)Rep. Feenstra and reporters