In The News

Sep 21, 2023

NCGA CEO Pushes Back Against EPA Advisory Board’s Negative Assertions about Ethanol

Key Issues: EthanolSustainability

Author: Bryan Goodman

The CEO of the National Corn Growers Association today pushed back against assertions made by a science advisory board to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency challenging the effectiveness of ethanol in lowering greenhouse gas emissions.   “There is no shortage of studies on the environmental benefits of corn ethanol,” said NCGA CEO Neil Caskey. “The Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, for example, has conducted extensive research on the matter and concluded that corn ethanol has reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by 544 million metric tons from 2005- 2019, and that the feedstock’s carbon intensity is 44% lower than that of petroleum gasoline.”   The testimony comes after the SAB provided commentary to the EPA administrator raising doubts about the effectiveness of ethanol and asserting that the use of the biofuel leads to increased land use.   The SAB is comprised of experts representing a range of fields who make regular recommendations to EPA...

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Sep 15, 2023

NCGA to EPA: Science Shows that Ethanol is Important to Lowering Emissions

Key Issues: EthanolSustainability

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) sent a letter this week to the Environmental Protection Agency addressing recent concerns raised by the agency’s scientific advisory board about the environmental benefits of ethanol. In a letter sent to EPA Administrator Michael Regan on Thursday, NCGA CEO Neil Caskey noted that the research shows unequivocally that ethanol is important to addressing climate change. “There are no shortage of studies on the environmental benefits of corn ethanol,” Caskey said. “The Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, for example, has conducted extensive research on the matter and concluded that corn ethanol has reduced GHG emissions in the U.S. by 544 million metric tons from 2005- 2019 and that the feedstock’s carbon intensity is 44 percent lower than that of petroleum gasoline.” The letter was sent after EPA’s scientific advisory board submitted draft commentary on the Volume Requirements for 2023 and Beyond under the Renewable Fuel...

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Sep 7, 2023

Corn Grower Leaders Call on Biden Administration to Tie U.S. Tax Decisions on Aviation Biofuels to Government’s Emissions Model

Key Issues: EthanolSustainability

Author: Bryan Goodman

Asserting that U.S. tax policy should be tied to the best standards the government has to offer, 17 of the nation’s top corn grower leaders sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen today encouraging her to adopt an emissions model developed by the Department of Energy as her agency works with the Internal Revenue Service to determine which biofuels lower greenhouse gas emissions enough to qualify for sustainable aviation fuel tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. The letter, which was signed by the president of the National Corn Growers Association and the leaders from state grower groups across the country, calls on Treasury to use an emissions standard referred to as the GREET model, which was developed by the DOE, rather than a less comprehensive international standard preferred by some groups. “GREET is the federal government’s most robust and updated model or methodology for transportation lifecycle assessment,” the letter says. “It is used globally to...

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Sep 6, 2023

NCGA Praises Stabenow, Boozman for Calling on USDA to Allocate Funding for Market Development

Key Issues: Trade

Author: Bryan Goodman

The National Corn Growers Association applauded Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) for a letter they sent today to the U.S. Department of Agriculture encouraging the agency to allocate funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to support the creation of new and better market opportunities for farmers, as well as in-kind international food assistance.   “Cultivating new foreign markets is one of NCGA’s top priorities,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “So, we are deeply appreciative of Sens. Boozman and Stabenow for taking the lead on this issue. Both senators have proven time and time again that they are staunch advocates of corn growers.”   The letter provided a roadmap to USDA on how to fund market development programs and explore opportunities to advance food assistance initiatives.   “As Congress works toward reauthorizing critical programs in the Farm Bill, we continue to hear from organizations representing the vast majority of U.S....

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