This story is a feature article in ICGA's PAC Newsletter: Maize Matters

This June, ICGA asked for your help in a C2A challenging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)on their multi-pollutant emissions standards. The agency’s proposal would effectively require 67% of cars and up to 50% of trucks to become battery-electric vehicles by 2032. The ruling would hurt ethanol production and cost the agriculture industry an estimated one-billion bushels of corn from 2022-2032.

IL Corn prompted 473 comments from corn growers to the EPA docket, contributing to the National Corn Growers Association’s overall total of 2,882 submissions.“Thank you to our members who submitted comments to the EPA, by sharing the devastating impact this ruling would have on agriculture,” said IL Corn Executive Director Rod Weinzierl. “However, this issue isn’t over. We need to continue to be a voice for rural America, and the impact this proposal will have on our farms and communities.”

The future of fuel has multiple avenues that can reduce the United States’ carbon footprint. IL Corn urges the EPA to think beyond electric vehicles and consider more than one transportation technology as our country moves towards lower carbon travel.

Does this proposal concern you? IL Corn points to the Next Generation Fuels Act as a permanent fix to the unrealistic standards set in the EPA’s ruling. Reach out to your Congressmen and share your support for the Next Generation Fuels Act! Co-sponsors include Reps. Mike Bost (R-12), Nikki Budzinski (D-13), Darin LaHood (R-16), Mary Miller (R-15) Eric Sorensen (D-17) and Senators Tammy Duckworth (IL-D) and Richard Durbin (IL-D).