Broad Group of Leaders Support Biogenic CO2 Coalition Petition
A broad group of state and federal legislators, ag leaders and business leaders are voicing their support for the Biogenic CO2 Coalition petition for a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule to clarify the regulatory treatment of carbon emissions from agricultural crops. We’ve gathered a collection of quotes from letters sent to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler in support of the petition.
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Indiana
“We strongly encourage the EPA to acknowledge the de minimis nature of agriculture crops and revise the rule that governs its emissions, which inadvertently invokes limitations on new expansions, jobs, and overall production.”
John Young, President, Indiana Vegetable Growers Association
“A simple, common-sense clarification would significantly ease the regulatory burden on our industry by instead classifying these emissions as de minimis.”
Douglas F. Leman, Executive Director, Indiana Dairy Producers
“While EPA leadership has stated its intentions to eliminate barriers like these, now more than ever, we need government assistance to break down these regulations to help unleash the potential of the bioeconomy.”
Ceann Bales, Executive Director, Randolph County Community & Economic Development
Iowa
“While the industry certainly stands on its own, reforming federal regulatory policy is needed to unleash its true potential.”
John Wills, Speaker Pro Tem, Iowa House of Representatives
“Keeping this regulatory position will not help the environment, but it will block needed investment from America’s agriculture industry and bioeconomy.”
Drew Kamp, President & CEO, Council Bluffs, Iowa Chamber of Commerce
“Iowa is a global hub for U.S. agricultural production, which in turn allows us to be a leader for biotechnology research and development. The current EPA regulation stands as a hurdle to our members poised to accelerate new growth in the bioeconomy.”
Jessica Hyland, Executive Director, Iowa Biotechnology Association (IowaBio)
“The current classification of biogenic CO2 emissions from agricultural crops as greenhouse gas pollutants is at odds with scientific evidence.”
Dr. Mark Mba-Wright, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Biomass Conversion Technologies, Iowa State University
“This change has been long overdue, but particularly in light of current circumstances, Iowa farmers are sorely in need of regulatory relief to help make maintaining and growing our industry more feasible.”
Ed Hatcher, Hatcher Industries
Michigan
“The current treatment of biogenic CO2 emissions from agricultural crops is an excellent example of an unwarranted regulatory burden that makes it harder for farmers across Michigan to thrive.”
Kevin Daley, State Senator, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Michigan State Senate
“There is an overwhelming consensus in the scientific community that agricultural crops are in fact carbon neutral, and the EPA itself has a long history of conceding that point.”
Tom Barrett, State Senator, Michigan Senate
“Out of all the regulatory authorities dealing with this topic around the globe, the EPA is the only one that still treats biogenic emissions similarly to emissions from fossil fuel.”
Rich Studley, President & CEO, Michigan Chamber of Commerce
“Because the EPA has neglected to address this regulatory problem, economies overseas have a substantial competitive advantage for construction, modernization and improvement of facilities relative to those here in the U.S.”
Dan Lauwers, Chair of the Energy and Tech Committee, Michigan State Senate
“If a rule were to be adopted and the EPA’s treatment of biogenic CO2 emissions changed, millions of dollars in new investments would be unleashed across the American heartland, bringing new job growth to the communities that need it dearly.”
Graham Filler, Michigan State Representative, Michigan House of Representatives
“Expanded production of plant-based products and materials, and in turn, the growth of the U.S. bioeconomy, promises to substantially reduce GHGs, improve water quality, divert waste from landfills, and augment soil health. For all of these reasons, accelerated production of sustainable petrochemical based plastics will reap huge environmental benefits t the US and serve an urgent global need.”
Julie Alexander, Michigan State Representative, Michigan House of Representatives
“In the midst of this global pandemic and economic depression, EPA has a critical opportunity to unleash millions of dollars in new investments and return the focus to job growth in the American heartland.”
Laura Campbell, Manager: Agricultural Ecology Department, Michigan Farm Bureau
“Michigan’s soybean farmers depend on brighter days ahead for their industry. And, if we remove the roadblocks that stand in the way, that future can become a reality.”
Michigan Soybean Association
Missouri
“To ensure the success of our agricultural industry, we believe in taking a pro-growth approach to our regulatory policy to create a favorable environment for growth. Altering existing EPA policy around biogenic CO2 emissions is a critical change that will help in this endeavor.”
Daniel P. Mehan, President and CEO,
Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
“As Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture Policy and a farmer myself, I write to support the Biogenic CO2 Coalition petition urging EPA to advance a rulemaking to provide clarity on the de minimis nature of biogenic carbon emissions released from agricultural crops when they are used to generate food, fuel, beverages, or bioproducts.”
Don Rone, Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture Policy, Missouri House of Representatives
“The opportunities opened up by shifting to a de minimis rule for biogenic carbon emissions would have sweeping impacts in encouraging new growth and development in Missouri’s agricultural sector.”
Steve Taylor, Executive Director, Missouri Agribusiness Association
“A de minimis standard for emissions from agricultural processes would ease regulatory burdens on Missouri’s agricultural industries and open up new opportunities for farmers.”
Hannah Kelly, State Representative, Missouri House of Representatives
“Excessive barriers to the development of Missouri’s biotechnology industry and a lack of scientific basis for the current standard are why we advocate in support of a ruling that clarifies the de minimis nature of essential processes.”
Kelly Gillespie, Executive Director, Missouri Biotechnology Association (MOBIO)
“The EPA is currently the only regulatory body in the world to classify biogenic CO2 emissions in the same category as fossil fuel pollutants. This policy is putting American businesses at a disadvantage, and Missouri is suffering because of it.”
Mike Haffner, State Representative, Missouri House of Representatives
“This policy is putting American businesses at a disadvantage in global markets, and Missouri’s bioeconomy is suffering because of it. A pro-growth, science-based de minimis policy would help ease this issue.”
Mike Bernskoetter, Missouri State Senator, Missouri Senate
“Bioeconomic innovation offers a new future for rural America, one that will bring jobs and opportunities to the struggling American heartland, offer American consumers more and better sustainable products, and bring much-needed support to America’s farms and ranchers.”
Dan Hegeman, Missouri State Senator, Missouri Senate
“The EPA is currently the only regulatory body in the world to classify biogenic CO2 emissions in the same category as fossil fuel pollutants. This policy is putting American businesses at a disadvantage, and Missouri is suffering because of it.”
Dan Houx, State Representative, Missouri House of Representatives
“EPA’s policy on biogenic CO2 creates a regulatory barrier and uncertainty that deters much-needed investment in renewable energy from rural America and incentivizes that investment elsewhere.”
Tracy McCreery, State Representative, Missouri House of Representatives
“We hope that the EPA will take seriously our concerns about how the current biogenic CO2 emissions policy has negatively impacted Missouri’s soybean industry and seek to instead implement a ruling on the de minimis nature of biogenic CO2.”
Ronnie Russel, President, Missouri Soybean Association
“By clarifying the insignificant nature of biogenic carbon emissions from annual agricultural crops, EPA can open the door for increased production of sustainable, plant-based products and materials with a wide range of environmental benefits in the United States.”
Senator Dave Schatz, President Pro Tem, Missouri State Senate
Ohio
“Were EPA to clarify this distinction, we can expect increased production of sustainable, plant-based products that would provide substantial environmental benefits.”
Luke Crumley, Director of Public Policy and Nutrition Management,
Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association
“If U.S. agribusinesses have this current barrier removed, they will quickly regain the upper hand, attracting new investments and creating new jobs.”
Pete Draganic, President, Reflo Ltd.
“Because EPA is not aligned with international regulators, the U.S. could lose its competitive edge in global bioproducts exports.”
Mike Howard, Colliers International
“The best thing the EPA can do is remove the longstanding barrier to the bioeconomy, and correctly label ag-related emissions as de minimis.”
Joe Shumay, CEO, Ad Specialities
“Regulatory clarity would position businesses within the U.S. bioeconomy to make significant investments in facility modernization and improvements to support the development and production of renewable products and materials.”
James P. Trakas, Councilperson, City of Independence, Ohio
“I join our fellow family farmers in asking you to advance a rulemaking to provide guidance on the de minimis nature of biogenic carbon emissions released from agricultural crops when they are used to make food, fuel and beverages.”
Edward Bittman, Bittman Farms, Amherst, Ohio
“I would like to offer support for the Biogenic CO2 Coalition petition regarding EPA Rulemaking on Emissions from Agriculture. That petition is asking the EPA to provide clarity on the de minimis nature of biogenic carbon emissions.”
Stacey Kelly, President of Council, Seven Hills, Ohio
“During this global pandemic and economic depression, EPA has a critical opportunity to unleash millions of dollars in new investments and return the focus to job growth in the American heartland.”
Luke Zacharias, Medina County
“This common-sense clarification would align EPA policy with the biogenic emissions standards applied by every other regulatory authority worldwide and acknowledge that biogenic carbon emissions from agricultural feedstocks are different than carbon from fossil fuels.”
Thomas J. Weyand, Chairman of the Medina Republican Party and Director of the Ohio Future Foundation
Wisconsin
“For years, EPA leadership has stated its intention to protect the environment while also eliminating regulatory barriers preventing that future from becoming reality.”
Tony Kurtz, State Representative, 50th District in Wisconsin
“The EPA Clean Air Act ruling regulating biogenic CO2 emissions in the same category as fossil fuel pollutants has been an inhibitor to our industry since being issued ten years ago.”
Jason Culotta, President, Midwest Food Products Association, Inc.
“It is time for the EPA to reassess this policy and enact a ruling that acknowledges the de minimis character of agricultural product-related emissions.”
Jennifer Wickman, Director of Government Affairs, Cooperative Network
“At a time when farmers are under immense financial, emotional and physical stress, we must remove any and all unnecessary barriers that are inhibiting pro-growth opportunities for the agricultural industry here at home, and globally.”
Rob Richard, President, Wisconsin Hemp Alliance
“The excess of permits required, litigation risk, and increased costs of compliance presented by this ruling have hampered investment and growth in our industry, including stalling manufacturing plant modernization projects. Wisconsin has witnessed these losses, firsthand.”
Doug Rebout, President, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association Board
“Our farmers need a level playing field to be competitive internationally. This requested clarification would align EPA policy with the biogenic emissions standards applied by other regulatory authorities worldwide and acknowledge that biogenic carbon emissions from agricultural feedstocks are different than carbon from fossil fuels.”
Randy Romanski, Secretary-designee, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
“Net annual emissions from crops during bioproduct processes are minimal, but with this rule change we can maximize the impact the impact of biofuels and related industries to move our economy forward.”
Wisconsin BioFuels Association