Rural America is feeling the impact of the Trump Administration?s recent granting of 31 small refinery waivers to big oil companies across the country. The waivers are only adding to a list of farmer concerns about markets, trade, and crop conditions. Fifteen ethanol plants have either been shuttered or idled over the past 12 months. One of the most recent plants taken out of production is POET?s Cloverdale facility, with POET specifically citing the most recent waivers as the reason for the decision. As demand for ethanol drops because of the list of waivers, it?s more likely that other plants will follow.
A National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) news release says President Trump appears to be reconsidering the actions of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The NCGA is currently working with members of the administration and Congress to share solutions to help boost corn demand. Redistributing and accounting for the waived gallons in the upcoming Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) rulemaking is just one of the steps that the administration can take today to help. NCGA is asking corn farmers to submit comments directly to the EPA asking them to do that. Farmers are losing patience with tariffs and trade negotiations and the NCGA says the president needs to remember his promises to American farmers.
