Every five years, Congress passes legislation that sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policy. This bill, referred to as the “Farm Bill”, includes policies that impact the ethanol industry and the farmers who support ethanol production.

This week, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture held a hearing titled, “Farm Bill 2023: Rural Development and Energy Programs”, where Senators highlighted the need to support rural communities through through this year’s Farm Bill. Growth Energy submitted a letter for the record of the hearing highlighting the importance of Section 2203 of the Inflation Reduction Act, the $500 million in funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide grants to expand biofuel pump infrastructure, upgrade existing tanks and pump, and increase usage of higher blends of ethanol.

“This funding will expand the availability of lower-carbon, lower-cost fuel options at the pump, which in turn will further climate progress, deliver savings at the pump, ensure greater long-term energy security, and welcome an economic boon to rural communities,” wrote CEO Emily Skor.

Additionally, Senate champions shared their support of the biofuels industry throughout the hearing in opening remarks and in their questioning of USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small: