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Ethanol groups continue push for targeted COVID relief

Ethanol industry leaders say they are continuing to push Congress for targeted relief in the next COVID-19 assistance package.

Geoff Cooper with the Renewable Fuels Association says. “Ethanol has been left behind in the previous packages that have been passed out of Congress.”

Cooper says there was targeted relief for ethanol and biodiesel in the HEROES Act, which passed the House but had little support in the Senate.  Cooper told reporters Wednesday the aid package being discussed in Congress now would put between 12 and 13 billion dollars towards agriculture relief but, “yet again, we’re hearing there is no specific target of any of that funding to renewable fuel producers who have been hit incredibly hard by this pandemic.”

Cooper says USDA has the discretion and authority to use Commodity Credit Corporation funding to help ethanol producers but says Ag Secretary Perdue has been reluctant to do that. “We believe the incoming administration and specifically Secretary Nominee Tom Vilsack, should he be confirmed, would take a more inclusive approach when it comes to providing assistance to all of agriculture, including biofuels.”

Cooper says a recent increase in COVID cases has led to more lockdowns and less fuel demand.