Editorials

Apr 4, 2023

Key Issues: EthanolHigh-Octane Low-Carbon

Author: Kathy Reding Bergren

Last month was marked by momentum from both the new Congress and our NCGA team. The reintroduction of bills that advance ethanol as an energy, climate and economic solution and our ongoing congressional education campaigns continue to keep NCGA an active voice when it comes to promoting renewable fuels. We are advancing our ethanol policy priorities, but there is much more to be done. Here is the latest on our efforts and what is to come for NCGA.   Next Generation Fuels Act Reintroduction. Recently, the U.S. Senate and House reintroduced legislation that has been a top advocacy priority for NCGA and state corn grower associations – the Next Generation Fuels Act. This bipartisan bill would establish a clean, high-octane standard for fuel to enable automakers to deploy advanced engines that improve vehicle fuel efficiency and cut emissions, taking advantage of higher ethanol blends. Our message to Congress is that the Next Generation Fuels Act will lower fuel prices, reduce...

Feb 27, 2023

Author: Kathy Reding Bergren

[Editor’s note: Brooke S. Appleton, NCGA’s vice president of public policy, is on maternity leave, and this month’s issue of Ears in Washington has been written by a guest columnist.] As the new Congress picks up the pace, NCGA staff are working on a number of issues in Washington, including the Mexican ban on genetically modified corn, reauthorization of the Farm Bill and biofuels policy, including the reintroduction of Next Generation Fuels Act.   Here are some highlights of our work so far: Fighting Mexico’s GM Corn Ban. Mexican officials have issued a decree that would ban imports of biotech corn. That’s problematic for U.S. corn growers, as the majority of corn grown in the U.S. is biotech corn, and Mexico is one of our largest customers. Originally the ban was to take effect in early 2024, a little less than a year from now. But Mexican officials recently announced that biotech corn for human consumption would be banned immediately, while the ban on biotech corn used in...