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michigan corn growers association

Corn farmers frustrated by Trump administration’s slow movement on ethanol policy

By • Jun 29, 2018
Field of corn
Flickr/Vampire Bear

 


Farmers are expressing frustration over the fedearl government’s unclear policies on ethanol. 

As a candidate, Donald Trump promised corn growers he would support increased use of corn ethanol in fuel.

But in recent days, EPA chief Scott Pruitt has been criticized for his handling of renewable fuel standards, which requires oil refineries mix renewable fuels such as ethanol with gasoline.

Michigan corn growers say they need a more stable renewable fuel standard

By • Oct 11, 2015
Steve Carmody / Michigan Radio

Michigan corn growers say uncertainty over the federal renewable fuel standard is hurting the state’s agricultural economy.

The standard sets the ethanol mixture in gasoline. 

The National Farmers Union released a report this week claiming delays in setting ethanol fuel standards are depressing corn prices. 

Michigan corn growers want Congress to approve trade plan

By • Apr 26, 2015
Steve Carmody / Michigan Radio

Michigan’s corn growers are hopeful Congress will soon pass Trade Promotion Authority.  That will fast track new trade deals in Asia and Europe.

Jim Zook is with the Michigan Corn Growers Association.

He says the corn market needs a boost, with the price the farmers receive for their corn is at or below the break even price.

MSU study credits ethanol with reducing greenhouse gases

By • Nov 16, 2014
Steve Carmody / Michigan Radio

Michigan’s ethanol industry leaders are touting a new study that claims ethanol is reducing greenhouse gas emissions.   

The study comes as a fight is brewing in Washington over federal Renewable Fuel Standards.

Michigan corn growers oppose lowering ethanol fuel mandate

By • Jan 28, 2014
Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio

Michigan’s corn growers are fighting a proposal to scale back the federal mandate on adding ethanol to the nation’s fuel supply.

Since 2007, the Renewable Fuel Standard has required a sizable portion of the nation’s fuel supply come from ethanol. Most of gasoline sold in the U.S. contains 10% ethanol.

But today is the deadline for the public to comment on a proposal to reduce a federal ethanol fuel mandate.  The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing cutting almost a fifth of the ethanol mandated to be part of the nation’s fuel supply.

A closer look at the future of ethanol and our renewable energy future

By • Jan 7, 2014
Much of the corn grown in the U.S. today is genetically engineered to resist the herbicide Roundup.
Mark Brush / Michigan Radio

It’s been seven years since America hit the accelerator on corn-based ethanol fuels. Homegrown corn became the centerpiece of a push to find an alternative to foreign oil.

President Bush signed this expansion of the Renewable Fuel Standard in 2007, promising it would make us “stronger, cleaner and more secure.”

But, as is so often the case, something that offers great promise on one hand, takes its toll on the other hand. So the view of corn-based ethanol very much depends upon which side of the fence you’re standing on.

Ethanol subsidies & Michigan corn growers

By • Jul 9, 2011
(photo by Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio)

Michigan corn farmers may be losing a ‘safety net’.   The Congress is expected to vote soon on ending ethanol subsidies.    The move is expected to save the federal government $1.3 billion this year. 

Ethanol in the United States is mainly produced using corn.  Michigan farmers increased their corn production in recent years as federal mandates required ethanol in gasoline.