WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, presented recommendations on how to improve and implement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) interim guidelines on climate-smart, or regenerative, agriculture practices today. The agency is currently reviewing the Interim Rule on Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Crops Used as Biofuel Feedstocks.
“This is an important opportunity for USDA to maximize the ability of farmers and U.S. biofuel producers to tap into new markets for clean fuels,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Strong guidelines will ensure that farmers can get credit for all their work to grow more crops using fewer resources, but we need to give them the flexibility to deploy innovations that make sense for their land and geography. By recognizing the full spectrum of innovations taking place on U.S. farms, and applying those standards to production incentives like 45Z, we can fast-track the production of new fuels made from American-grown feedstocks.”
Most importantly, Growth Energy called on USDA and the U.S. Treasury to work to include CSA practices as part of the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit. “Although Section 45Z provides an incentive for reduced CI [carbon intensity] transportation fuel, it completely neglects the important role of CSA practices – and farmers – in reducing CI,” said Growth Energy in its comment. “In doing so it suppresses farmer interest in engaging in those practices and makes it more difficult for biofuel producers to take advantage of the Section 45Z incentive.”
Additionally, Growth Energy called on USDA “to expand the technical guidelines to recognize a broader collection of CSA practices,” such as manure application and use of green ammonia. The association also urged USDA to streamline traceability requirements and make it easier for growers to quantify the full value of key practices.
Read Growth Energy’s full letter to USDA here.
