Iowans Encouraged to Rally for Rural America

Farmers, agribusiness and the renewable fuels industry will gather on June 25th in Kansas City at the Rally for Rural America in support of a strong and robust Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). On May 29th, 2015 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to significantly lower renewable obligation numbers for 2014, 2015, and 2016 under the RFS. However, in this proposal EPA had complete disregard for the law by cutting the corn ethanol obligation by 3.75 billion gallons. That number represents nearly a billion and a half bushel loss for corn farmers across the country. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be hosting a public hearing on the RFS cuts in Kansas City, Kansas on June 25th at the Jack Reardon Center, 520 Minnesota Avenue.

EPA’s proposed rule demonstrates a disregard to the needs of family farmers and America’s economy, while placing the oil industry’s agenda front and center. “Renewable fuels like ethanol reduce our dependence on foreign oil and are essential to the health of Iowa’s rural economy, “says Iowa Corn Growers Association President Jerry Mohr. The Renewable Fuel Standard is responsible for supporting over 850, 000 American jobs and continues to strengthen America’s energy independence, lower prices at the pump, reduce pollution, and support rural economies across this country.

“Iowans must let the EPA know that this proposal will not stand,” stated Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “These cuts are bad for farmers, bad for our environment, and bad for consumers. We encourage each and every Iowan who enjoys lower gas prices, cleaner air, and a strong rural economy to ensure their voices are heard by submitting a comment to the EPA and attending the rally in Kansas City. The entire Iowa delegation is working hard to reverse these cuts, and Iowans should, too.” 

In response to this hearing, Fuels America partners are holding a rally outside of the Jack Reardon Center. This event will allow farmers and renewable fuels industry representatives from across the nation, to gather their voices and let the EPA know that this proposal will be damaging to rural America. Buses have been provided by the Fuels America Coalition and will be accessible from a number of different locations providing free transportation to and from the rally. The list of stops and information to RSVP has been provided below:

• Sapp Bros Travel Center – Percival, IA (departs at 6:00 am): Kim Clark / 402-416-7639 / kim.clark@nebraska.gov
• Becks Hybrids – Mt. Pleasant, IA (departs at 6:00 am): John Finley / 515-782-4188 / jfinley@iowacorn.org
• Golden Grain Energy – Mason City, IA (departs at 5:30 am): Curt Strong / 641-423-8500 / cstrong@ggecorn.com
• Iowa Corn office – Johnston, IA (departs at 7:30 am):  Mindy Larsen Poldberg / 515-240-9600 / mpoldberg@iowacorn.org
• Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy – Council Bluffs, IA (departs at 8:00 am): Laura Schultz / 712-366-0392 / Laura.schultz@sireethanol.com
• Siouxland Ethanol – Jackson, NE (departs at 6:00 am): Aimee James / 402-632-2676 / Aimee.James@siouxlandethanol.com

Additional rally information can be found at www.ncga.com

If you are unable to attend, voice your opinion on this issue by visiting www.ncga.com/RFS. Be sure to submit your comments to the EPA by the July 27th deadline and tell EPA how important the RFS is to your farm, your family, our state and rural America.

Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production. Iowa has 43 ethanol refineries capable of producing more than 3.8 billion gallons annually, including 22 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity and one cellulosic ethanol facility currently under construction. In addition, Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce nearly 315 million gallons annually.

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The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is an 8,000-member strong grassroots-driven organization, headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, serving members across the state, and lobbying on agricultural issues on behalf of its farmer members to create opportunities for long-term Iowa corn grower profitability. For more information, visit iowacorn.org.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry. The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.

For More Information:

Amanda De Jong
Senior Policy Advisor
Iowa Corn Growers Association
515-225-9242
adejong@iowacorn.org

Shannon Textor
Director of Marketing & Communications
Iowa Corn Growers Association
515-225-9242
stextor@iowacorn.org

T.J. Page
Communications Director
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association
515-954-6364
tpage@iowarfa.org