NGFA, NFU, and Hemp Industries Association Join Growing Biogenic CO2 Coalition

The broad and bipartisan effort to press the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address a major roadblock to the U.S. bioeconomy and help create thousands of new jobs grew stronger this week as three additional national organizations added their voices to this effort. The Biogenic CO₂ Coalition today welcomed the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), National Farmers Union (NFU), and Hemp Industries Association (HIA) to its growing coalition.

The Biogenic CO₂ Coalition is a group of leading agricultural organizations fighting for the fair, science-based treatment of annual farm crops by EPA in order to grow the American bioeconomy, create jobs, and boost investment in rural America. With the agency expected to advance a rulemaking addressing biogenic CO₂ emissions from woody biomass, the Coalition has recently called on EPA to solicit public comment on regulation of biogenic CO₂ emissions from annual crops, potentially creating a window of opportunity for rulemaking to address this decade-old regulatory glitch. This request is in line with bipartisan support in Congress and numerous scientific studies, including a recent letter signed by more than 20 top scientists, confirming that it does not contribute to excess greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

“We are thrilled to welcome NGFA, NFU, and HIA to our growing grassroots effort in the fight to ensure rural America gets the boost it desperately needs in terms of investment, job creation, and increased opportunity to compete in the international marketplace for renewable products. This demonstrates a broad array of growing concern and support for the EPA to act on a rulemaking to address this decade-long regulatory glitch,” stated John Bode, President & CEO of the Corn Refiners Association (CRA). “It’s time the EPA acts to get this rulemaking issued swiftly; rural America cannot wait any longer.”

“As family farmers endure a great deal of economic uncertainty, biobased products present a unique opportunity to? develop new markets and diversify revenue streams. Unfortunately, there are currently misguided barriers in place that prevent the expansion of the bioeconomy; in joining the Biogenic C0₂ Coalition, National Farmers Union is committed to clearing these hurdles and ensuring the long-term financial success of American farmers and ranchers.” – Rob Larew, President, National Farmers Union (NFU).

“The United States is falling behind the world in supporting the bioeconomy from agricultural crops. In conjunction with our farming partners across the country, the Hemp Industries Association is excited to join the Biogenic CO₂ Coalition, and move the conversation forward to allow hemp farmers, growing for fiber, cannabinoids or grain, access to the $459 billion dollar bioeconomy. The time is now to embrace change that provides additional revenue for rural America, and steps towards energy independence as a nation.” – Rick Trojan, President, Hemp Industries Association (HIA).

As the Coalition noted in a recently released digital video ad, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) observed in a recent Senate hearing that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in countless “jobs? lost and lives upended across Iowa and throughout rural America.” Along with growing support from various agricultural organizations, members of Congress, governors, and scientists have also called on EPA to issue rulemaking to clarify the de minimis character of biogenic carbon emissions from the processing of annual agricultural crops.

Source: Biogenic CO₂ Coalition, press release, 2020-06-29.