Nebraska Corn Growers Association Statement on E15 Exclusion from Funding Bill Language
LINCOLN, Neb. – The U.S. House of Representatives approved a final appropriations bill that omits language allowing consumers nationwide to access E15, fuels blended with 15% corn ethanol.
In response, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) President and farmer from Cairo, Nebraska, Michael Dibbern, released the following statement:
“Nebraska and U.S. corn farmers answered the urgent call this week by dropping everything on their farms, with no advance notice, to travel to Washington, D.C. in a powerful display of determination and passion in response to the House of Representatives removing the verbiage for E15 from the newest funding bill. Their willingness to leave operations underscores just how vital this policy is to our livelihoods and rural economies.
Along with the National Corn Growers Association, we are deeply discouraged, profoundly frustrated and frankly infuriated by this latest setback. After years of relentless advocacy and near-misses at the finish line, including recent agreements that appeared to pave the way forward, E15 language was stripped from the funding package in mere hours.
The Nebraska Corn Growers Association continues to be appreciative of Nebraska’s members of Congress who continue to be steadfast advocates, fighting for Nebraska’s corn farmers and nationwide year-round E15. While NeCGA will continue efforts fighting for nationwide year-round E15, our delegates adopted a resolution during our Annual Meeting and which reinforced the need to broaden our efforts across several applications as it relates to ethanol use.
We implore Congress: the time for delay is over. Immediate passage of nationwide year-round E15 is essential now, farmers cannot afford further postponement. Failure to act can and will inflict real economic harm on rural America, corn farmers and the broader U.S. economy through lost demand, depressed prices and missed opportunities for energy independence. If this does not move forward promptly, the message farmers will hear will be unmistakable: Congress is turning its back on the corn industry and rural America while contradicting its own commitments to America-First energy dominance.”
The Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) is a grassroots commodity organization that works to advance Nebraska corn farmers through leadership, policy and education. NeCGA has more than 2,400 dues-paying members in Nebraska. NeCGA is affiliated with the National Corn Growers Association, which has more than 36,000 dues-paying members nationwide.