WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Growth Energy praised the introduction of legislation by U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) that would provide assistance to biofuel producers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the legislation would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reimburse biofuel producers for their feedstock purchases in the first quarter of 2020 through the Commodity Credit Corporation. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor thanked the senators for their commitment to the recovery of the biofuels industry and rural America:
“Urgent, bipartisan calls to protect America’s biofuel sector continue to resonate across Capitol Hill, and we’re grateful to Senators Grassley and Klobuchar for outlining a solution that would deliver immediate relief for biofuel workers, our farm partners, and thousands of rural communities,” said Skor. “After the devastation created by COVID-19, it’s vital that Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture ensure that biofuel plants stand ready to restore production and reopen markets for America’s farmers. Unless Washington acts, we’ll be trying to rebuild the rural economy with one arm tied behind our back.”
The introduction of this legislation follows numerous appeals from Growth Energy and other farm and biofuel leaders, as well as calls from bipartisan champions in the House and Senate, Midwest governors, and 70 mayors across 10 states for biofuels to be included in federal relief packages.