FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Brittany Jablonsky, 202-314-3108
bjablonsky@nfudc.org

WASHINGTON (April 8, 2014) – Today National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson commended the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry for its hearing on advanced biofuels.

“I appreciate the committee’s focus on forward-looking energy policies that increase net farm income while reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil,” said Johnson. “Today’s hearing highlighted the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the 2014 Farm Bill’s significant investments in on-farm renewable energy production.”

Biofuels are an important part of the climate change solution. Corn ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 34 percent compared to gasoline, and cellulosic ethanol reduces emissions by 87 percent.

“I particularly commend senators and witnesses for their comments on the connection between corn ethanol and advanced biofuels. A stable, consistent corn ethanol policy is needed to transition the industry to advanced biofuels in the long-term,” Johnson said. “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must increase the 2014 RFS targets to statutory levels in order to give investors the policy certainty to finance the expansion of advanced biofuels.”

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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