Providing flexibility to fuel retailers will be the key to continued growth in availability of higher level ethanol blends like E15 and other renewable fuels. That’s according to written testimony submitted to a House Energy Subcommittee by Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen in support of the Domestic Fuels Protection Act. Dinneen says the measure is narrowly tailored to ensure that retailers, fuel producers and other stakeholders don’t have to defend meritless lawsuits if a fuel has been approved by the EPA, the equipment used by retailers to store and dispense the fuel meets specifications and customers are properly informed about the uses of the new fuel.

According to Dinneen – the legislation does not alter the Renewable Fuel Standard. He says the RFS has been the most successful energy policy the U.S. has ever implemented and should be vigorously defended and maintained. But as increasing volumes are required by the RFS – Dinneen says greater volumes of ethanol and a greater diversity of biofuels and feedstocks will be needed. He says the current regulatory structure favors incumbent technologies and discourages market access. Gasoline marketers – he says – deserve the certainty they won’t be penalized for utilizing a new fuel or fuel blend that’s been approved for use by the EPA.

Speaking in Iowa Thursday – Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack touted farmers as some of the nation’s greatest assets. He said U.S. agriculture continues to be a bright spot in the American economy and a driving force behind export growth, job creation and the nation’s competitiveness because of the productivity of farmers, ranchers and producers. According to Vilsack – U.S. agriculture is responsible for one out of every 12 jobs and provides our food, feed, fiber and fuel – all while helping drive the national economy.
Vilsack also noted the work of USDA to strengthen the rural economy over the past three years. He highlighted – among other things – historic investment in America’s rural communities, maintaining a strong safety net and investing in broadband service for nearly seven-million rural residents. Vilsack also talked about the work of the first-ever White House Rural Council – which he chairs. Since its establishment in June of last year – Vilsack says the Council has supported a broad spectrum of rural initiatives.

Courtesy: NAFB News

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack believes Congress can approve a new farm bill before the current law expires in September. He says it’s clear the Senate Ag Committee plans to begin to mark up its version of the legislation this month. As such – he expects the full Senate will vote on the bill by early summer. A bill he believes will continue federal support for crop insurance and offer some type of safety net program to supplement crop insurance revenue.

Vilsack would also like to see some of the energy programs that expire with the current law restored in the Senate bill. He hopes to see continued commitment to the Rural Energy for America Program – or REAP – which offers grants and loans to farmers for on-farm renewable energy generation and energy efficiency. The program has also been used to help pay for the installation of blender pumps. Vilsack believes the Biomass Crop Assistance Program will be structured differently.

The Senate farm bill draft – according to Vilsack – will likely simplify conservation programs – giving USDA more flexibility to tailor programs to local needs. The Secretary actually likes that approach and would like to see it applied to the rest of the farm bill – giving USDA the capacity to be creative.

Courtesy: NAFB News

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen says poll after poll demonstrates Americans believe we must pursue the production and use of renewable fuels to reduce our dependence on imported oil. A recent poll commissioned by RFA showed 61-percent of adults support the key federal policy driving renewable fuel innovation in the country today – the Renewable Fuel Standard. Dinneen says the RFS ensures ample supplies of renewable fuels like ethanol are available now – and that new promising renewable fuel technologies will have a market in the future. He adds that it has proven effective in addressing the nation’s goals by helping reduce volumes of imported oil, create jobs and lower greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuel.

The poll – conducted by American Viewpoint – also showed Americans have a strong desire to increase their use of domestic ethanol. Fifty-eight percent of respondents said they were very likely or somewhat likely to purchase a fuel with more domestic ethanol – specifically E15 – when available. Sixty-five percent of poll participants said they support incentives to help expand cellulosic ethanol production – and seventy-five percent would support requiring automakers to build cars to run on fuel sources other than oil.

Dinneen says there’s an overwhelming wave of support for developing energy policy that looks beyond just fossil fuels. By protecting the RFS, supporting the breakthrough of advanced and cellulosic ethanol production and expanding renewable fuel options through greater ethanol blends at the pump – he says Congress can respond to the will of the American people and begin creating a more secure and stable energy future.

Courtesy: NAFB News

Organizations from the commodity, dairy, livestock and specialty crop industries are urging the House and Senate to provide permanent and meaningful estate tax relief before the end of the year. The American Soybean Association is one of those groups. ASA supports making the current five-million dollar per person exemption and top rate of 35-percent permanent. The group also believes it’s important that permanent estate tax law index the exemption to inflation, provide for spousal transfers and include the stepped-up basis.

If no action is taken by Congress before the end of 2012 – the exemption will drop to one-million dollars and the top tax rate above the exclusion amount will increase to 55-percent. If that happens – ag groups believe the negative impact on the industry will be significant. They say the 2013 change does a disservice to agriculture because it is a land-based, capital-intensive industry with few options for paying estate taxes when they come due. ASA is encouraging Congress to show support for the Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act introduced by Texas Congressman Kevin Brady in the House and South Dakota’s John Thune in the Senate.

Courtesy: NAFB News

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri House has endorsed legislation seeking to make it a crime for undercover activists to produce videos portraying poor conditions at agricultural facilities.

The legislation given first-round approval Tuesday would create the crime of “agriculture production facility interference.”

The crime would apply to people who produce or distribute photos, videos or audio recordings of the activities at an agricultural facility without the consent of the owner. The bill also would make it a crime for people to gain

employment or access at agricultural facilities under false pretenses.

Supporters said the measure is needed to stop undercover activists who produce propaganda against agriculture, particularly where livestock are being raised or slaughtered.

Opponents of the bill said some of those undercover investigations have helped improve conditions at agricultural facilities.

According to The Hagstrom Report – House Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson says there’s a fifty-fifty chance Congress will pass a farm bill this year. If both houses don’t approve a measure by August – he says Congress will need to extend some authorities and then wait for the lame duck session. Peterson notes some are talking about an extension – but says others won’t go along with that if there are cuts.

On the issue of crop insurance – Peterson is opposed to more cuts until the effects of the 2008 farm bill cuts, the renegotiation of the standard reinsurance agreement and the rerating of certain policies are fully understood.

On the Senate side – Peterson says a recent conversation with Chair Debbie Stabenow shows she’s having a difficult time sorting out the various commodity proposals. She has also joined Republican Pat Roberts in opposing increases in target prices. Peterson says those are two battles House Committee members cannot help with. If the Senate can work things out on the commodity side, on crop insurance and on conservation – Peterson says it will put a lot of pressure on the House to do something. If the Senate passes a measure with a 23-billion dollar cut over 10 years and the House gets a bill with a 33-billion dollar cut – Peterson says it would be “conferenceable.

Courtesy: NAFB News