“As governors, we are concerned about our nation’s agriculture and biofuel sector during the unprecedented economic circumstances brought on by the national pandemic of COVID-19,” the governors wrote, noting that motor fuel use has rapidly decreased due to COVID-19. “As most U.S. gasoline contains at least 10 percent ethanol, demand for our homegrown renewable fuels has significantly declined.”

The governors express concern for their farmers and producers who will bear the impact of that decrease in consumption. “This further damage an already hurting rural economy and has resulted in the closure of production facilities that employ many people in rural communities in our home states,” they continued. “As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) considers the allocation of additional funds provided to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stabilization (CARES) Act we ask that you use this authority provided to assist the biofuel industry. The decrease in fuel consumption has left production facilities little choice but to idle production or close completely.”

The governors note that industry sources currently show that more than 4 billion gallons of ethanol demand has been destroyed since March 1. “The CCC was created to stabilize, support, and protect farm income and prices while also maintaining balanced and adequate supplies of agricultural commodities,” the governors wrote. “Farm income and market prices for corn and other crop commodities are directly linked to the health of the renewable fuel industry. Ethanol plants use 40 percent of all corn grown in the United States. In addition, biodiesel and renewable diesel producers currently use over 8 billion pounds of soybean oil per year, creating demand that adds 13 percent to the cash price of a bushel of soybeans. We have seen a significant drop in the price of corn and soybeans because of the decline in demand, and this puts our nation’s agriculture industry at great risk.”

The letter also addresses waiver requests the U.S. EPA recently received from several oil state governors, asking the agency to waive 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements. “Doing so would only worsen the economic harm and job losses that biofuel producers are suffering, and would do nothing to improve the financial health of refiners,” the governors wrote. “The EPA and courts have repeatedly established that RIN costs do not adversely impact refineries because compliance costs are simply passed through in pricing for gasoline and diesel fuels. The COVID-19 crisis is inflicting severe economic harm on all participants in U.S. fuel supply chain. Using this global pandemic as an excuse to undercut the RFS is not just illegal; it would also sever the economic lifeline that renewable fuels provide for farmers, workers and rural communities across the Midwest.”

“Keeping biofuels plants open is vital for our states and we ask that you use your authority to assist the biofuel industry during this difficult time,” they continued. “We are supportive of the proposals the biofuel industry has put forward to reimburse feedstocks, and also believe that adding additional CCC funds to the Higher-Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program will drive future biofuel demand. Thank you for considering our request and for your dedication to rural America. We look forward to working with you to further protect American agriculture in response to COVID19.”

Growth Energy released a statement April 18 offering thanks to the four governors for writing the letter.

“Biofuel plants are the beating heart of the rural economy, and strong support from USDA is vital to keeping U.S. agriculture intact through the worst of this crisis,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “Ethanol production provides jobs for our communities, a market for our farmers, sanitizer for our hospitals, animal feed for livestock operations, clean fuel for our vehicles, and vital carbon dioxide (CO2) for meatpackers, and municipal water treatment. We’re grateful to rural champions like Governors Reynolds, Walz, Ricketts, and Noem who are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with America’s biofuel industry to keep our vital supply chain moving. As more plants are forced to close, the damage will only continue to spread. We urge lawmakers and the USDA to take immediate, additional steps that are still needed to keep our plants open and protect the economic engine that will fuel America’s recovery.”

A full copy of the letter can be downloaded from the Growth Energy website.