Trade Associations
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from national and international trade associations influencing the debate on federal policies.
Featured Stories
Joint California State Association of Counties / CACTTC Statement on COVID-19 and the April 10 Property Tax Deadline
SACRAMENTO, California, April 6 -- California State Association of Counties issued the following joint statement with one organizations:
California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and the California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors issue the following statement regarding the COVID-19 crisis and the April 10th property tax deadline.
"Taking care of Californians is our top priority, and counties, cities, and schools are burning through local reserves to do so. Any delay in payments beyond the April 10 property tax deadline, for individuals or businesses that can pay, will
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SACRAMENTO, California, April 6 -- California State Association of Counties issued the following joint statement with one organizations:
California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and the California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors issue the following statement regarding the COVID-19 crisis and the April 10th property tax deadline.
"Taking care of Californians is our top priority, and counties, cities, and schools are burning through local reserves to do so. Any delay in payments beyond the April 10 property tax deadline, for individuals or businesses that can pay, willtip local governments into insolvency at a time when our residents need us the most.
"Counties will use all existing authority to cancel penalties and other charges for homeowners, small businesses, and other property owners that are unable to pay their property taxes due to circumstances caused by COVID-19 on a case-by-case basis. However, property owners who can pay or that haven't been directly affected by COVID-19, including international corporations and out-of-state landlords, still need to pay on time to keep critical government services running. Assisting taxpayers in this way is not new to Tax Collectors, who most recently worked to help those who were affected by the Camp and Woolsey fires.
"Property taxes only go to local governments--schools, counties, cities and special districts--not to the state or federal government, and directly fund education, health care, hospitals, welfare services, fire protection, and homelessness efforts, to name a few.
"Delaying the April 10 property tax payment would take tens of billions of dollars away from local government, create cash flow problems, and cause some to default on their loans, which would have significant long-term effects on all local agencies in California."
[Category: Government/Public Administration]
National Grain and Feed Association Provides New COVID-19 Industry Resources
WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The National Grain and Feed Association issued the following news release:
The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) has made several resources available intended to assist grain, feed, processing and export companies navigate the uncertainties of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including a recording of NGFA's April 2 webinar presented in partnership with Grain Journal.
The webinar, and many other resources, including federal agency announcements and guidance documents, can be found on ngfa.org/covid-19.
During the "Grain, Feed, Processing and Export Industry Update
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WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The National Grain and Feed Association issued the following news release:
The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) has made several resources available intended to assist grain, feed, processing and export companies navigate the uncertainties of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including a recording of NGFA's April 2 webinar presented in partnership with Grain Journal.
The webinar, and many other resources, including federal agency announcements and guidance documents, can be found on ngfa.org/covid-19.
During the "Grain, Feed, Processing and Export Industry Updateon COVID-19" webinar, more than 700 attendees joined as NGFA staff provided a detailed look at what the designation of food and agriculture as critical infrastructure means, and highlighted several agency-specific operations, including Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) continuity plans, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections during the pandemic, updated truck weight and hours-of-service regulations and commercial drivers' license policies, contracting and arbitration issues, and the current and future financial relief enacted or planned by Congress. Staff also spent 30 minutes of the webinar taking questions from attendees, and will plan to follow-up on with individual attendees that didn't have time to get their questions answered during the presentation.
Other resources recently made available on the ngfa.org/covid-19 include:
* A new NGFA Safety Tips Sheet: Coronavirus Disease 2019, which focuses on reducing industry impact of COVID-19 by developing continuity of operations plans.
* A sample letter of access for essential critical infrastructure workers that grain, feed and processing companies can use for their employees.
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NGFA, established in 1896, consists of more than 1,000 grain, feed, processing, exporting and other grain-related companies that operate more than 7,000 facilities and handle more than 70 percent of all U.S. grains and oilseeds. Its membership includes grain elevators; feed and feed ingredient manufacturers; biofuels companies; grain and oilseed processors and millers; exporters; livestock and poultry integrators; and associated firms that provide goods and services to the nation's grain, feed and processing industry. NGFA also consists of 33 affiliated State and Regional Grain and Feed Associations, and NGFA is co-located and has a strategic alliance with North American Export Grain Association, and a strategic alliance with Pet Food Institute.
[Category: Agriculture]
International Code Council: Survey of U.S. Code Officials Shows Trends in Code Compliance During COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The International Code Council issued the following news release:
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- The results of the survey tell us how jurisdictions throughout the U.S. are keeping up with inspections, new building permits and new construction
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The International Code Council surveyed building and fire departments to learn how code officials are coping with the professional challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. From March 22 through April 1, 2020, more than 1,150 respondents from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia provided input. Respondents came from jurisdictions
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WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The International Code Council issued the following news release:
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- The results of the survey tell us how jurisdictions throughout the U.S. are keeping up with inspections, new building permits and new construction
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The International Code Council surveyed building and fire departments to learn how code officials are coping with the professional challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. From March 22 through April 1, 2020, more than 1,150 respondents from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia provided input. Respondents came from jurisdictionsof all sizes ranging from 1,000 people to over 4.6 million.
The survey collects trends, ideas, solutions and best practices from code officials about how they are keeping up with new building permits and new construction during the pandemic months.
Although the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has determined the work of building and fire prevention departments to be essential to the nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic--and no state has made a contrary determination--6 in 10 survey respondents did not have the capability to remotely carry out critical aspects of their work. With many departments already under resourced and many state and local governments facing severe revenue downturns resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, it is critical that federal coronavirus response funding be directed to building and fire prevention departments that need it to continue their essential functions. Such investments would speed the restart of our economy and produce lasting reductions in departmental operation costs and permitting timelines.
The recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and. Economic Security Act (CARES Act, H.R. 748), provides state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments with $150 billion through a Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) for necessary spending in response to this public health emergency, $45.4 billion through FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), and $5 billion through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Funding that enables code departments to work remotely should be an eligible activity under the CRF, and both the DRF and CDBG program have funded code enforcement activities previously. The Code Council has also urged the U.S. Congress to allocate support specifically for code department remote capabilities as part of a fourth coronavirus response measure Congress is currently considering.
The main survey findings are:
* The majority of departments surveyed (93%) are still performing inspections, either remotely or in-person. This falls in line with what the Code Council expected given that many areas have classified construction and code compliance activities as essential.
* More than half (65%) of respondents said that some or all employees that conduct plan review or inspections are working remotely.
* A large percentage of jurisdictions (66%) use a combination of electronic and hard copy versions of building safety codes, while a much smaller percentage of jurisdictions (7%) have advanced to using all electronic. 27% of respondents said their jurisdiction used only hard copies. This could create challenges where hard copies are shared and departments do not have enough hard copies for each now-remote employee that needs them. In fact, 23% said their employees do not have access to needed hard copy code books.
* Many jurisdictions have made the switch to electronic services, but a large percentage still do not have the capacity to go virtual. In particular:
* 40% do not have the capability to do electronic/remote plan reviews.
* 30% do not have the capability to do any aspect of electronic/remote permitting.
* 61% do not have the capability for electronic/remote inspections.
* To expand services to fight the coronavirus pandemic, many healthcare facilities are putting beds in alternative locations (like school gymnasiums, hotels, outpatient surgical centers) or in temporary structures in their parking lots. 26% of respondents have encountered requests for permits for temporary occupancy and/or temporary structures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The results of this survey show how quickly and efficiently many Code Council governmental members have moved from office work to telework and have adapted to a new virtual work environment," said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. "Now more than ever, we are reminded of the importance of building safety. Throughout this crisis, the Code Council will remain committed to its mission to advocate for building safety professionals around the world and identify new ways to contribute to public safety."
"Code officials are essential to keeping our communities safe and protected. Especially during these difficult times when we find our greatest protection from remaining inside, their continued service to ensure building and public safety is critical," said Code Council Senior Vice President of Government Relations Sara Yerkes. "We commend the offices across the nation that have virtually reframed their operations and we urge Congress, states and local governments to recognize the need for an allocation of resources directed to building departments to continue the important work of ensuring new construction and remodeling projects meet fundamental safety standards."
This survey is ongoing, and the Code Council will continue to collect responses to these important questions. Forthcoming will be a document outlining best practices on virtual code compliance activities.
View the survey report (https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/Code-Official-Survey-White-Paper.pdf)and infographic.( https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/Code-Official-Survey-Info.pdf)
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About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is a nonprofit association that provides a wide range of building safety solutions including product evaluation, accreditation, certification, codification and training. It develops model codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.
[Category: Government/Public Administration]
Despite Global Challenges, U.S. Pork and Beef Exports on Record Pace Through February
DENVER, Colorado, April 4 -- The U.S. Meat Export Federation issued the following news release:
U.S. pork exports posted the third largest month on record in February while U.S. beef exports also recorded double-digit gains from a year ago, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Through February, exports of both pork and beef are on a record pace and account for a growing share of record-large U.S. production.
February pork exports reached 273,056 metric tons (mt), up 46% from a year ago, valued at $726.6 million (up 59%), trailing only the
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DENVER, Colorado, April 4 -- The U.S. Meat Export Federation issued the following news release:
U.S. pork exports posted the third largest month on record in February while U.S. beef exports also recorded double-digit gains from a year ago, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Through February, exports of both pork and beef are on a record pace and account for a growing share of record-large U.S. production.
February pork exports reached 273,056 metric tons (mt), up 46% from a year ago, valued at $726.6 million (up 59%), trailing only thevolume and value totals from December 2019 and January 2020. For the first two months of the year, pork exports exceeded last year's pace by 41% in volume (546,659 mt) and 54% in value ($1.47 billion).
Pork export value per head slaughtered was $67.77 in February, up 50% from a year ago and the highest since 2014. The January-February average was $65.02, up 45%. Exports accounted for just under 33% of total February pork production and nearly 30% for muscle cuts only, the highest on record and up substantially from last year (24% and 21%, respectively). The January-February ratios were 31.3% of total production and 28.6% for muscle cuts, up from 23.8% and 20.6%, respectively, in 2019.
U.S. beef exports also achieved outstanding growth in February, increasing 18% from a year ago to 112,021 mt and climbing 17% in value ($681 million). These results pushed January-February volume 10% above last year's pace at 219,395 mt and 11% higher in value ($1.35 billion).
Beef export value per head of fed slaughter was $343.03 in February, up 11% from a year ago and the highest since December 2018. The January-February average was $321.86, up 7%. Exports accounted for 15.3% of total February beef production, up from 13.9% a year ago, and 12.4% for muscle cuts only (up from 11%). Through February, exports accounted for 14.1% of total beef production and 11.5% for muscle cuts, up from 13.5% and 10.7%, respectively, last year.
With COVID-19 dominating all news headlines, including those related to global trade, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the February export results confirmed that global demand for high-quality protein remains strong and resilient.
"By February, COVID-19 had emerged as a major health concern in several key Asian markets and was certainly impacting consumer and business activity, so it is great to see U.S. pork and beef exports achieve such strong growth," Halstrom said. "Obviously these are uncertain economic times and the road ahead remains very challenging, but these results are really a great testament to our international customer base. In the face of unprecedented obstacles, importers, retailers and restaurateurs are finding creative ways to meet consumer needs, and with record production the U.S. industry is well-positioned as a supplier. While we are in an unusual business climate that requires a lot of flexibility and innovation, there are excellent opportunities for red meat exports to continue to build momentum."
Stronger pork exports to Japan, Mexico complement continued surge to China
While China/Hong Kong was the largest driver of pork export growth in February, mainstay markets Japan and Mexico also posted impressive results.
February exports to China/Hong Kong were even with the huge January volume and more than tripled from a year ago to 98,847 mt, while export value more than quadrupled to $243.2 million. For the first two months of 2020, exports increased 260% from a year ago to 195,849 mt and soared by 352% in value ($488.5 million).
Pork exports to Japan totaled 35,262 mt in February, an increase of 23% year-over-year, while value climbed 28% to $145.8 million. Through February, exports increased 9% in volume (66,840 mt) and 12% in value ($278.4 million). Capitalizing on reduced duty rates, U.S. pork is regaining market share of Japan's imports of ground seasoned pork and chilled pork. Strong consumer demand for U.S. chilled pork at retail and for sausages produced from ground seasoned pork underpin this growth.
In Mexico, February exports climbed 16% to 61,693 mt, while value increased 43% to $107.6 million. January-February exports to Mexico increased 11% in volume (132,153 mt) and 41% in value ($242.3 million) from the same period last year, when most U.S. pork entering Mexico was saddled with a 20% retaliatory duty. Although weekly export data show March volumes to Mexico remained sharply higher year-over-year, the pace slowed from that seen in February, partly reflecting devaluation of the peso.
Other January-February highlights for U.S. pork exports include:
* Exports to Canada continued to build on last year's strong performance, increasing 18% in volume (37,364 mt) and 14% in value ($128.8 million) from a year ago.
* While the volume shipped to Oceania eased in February, value continued to increase, pushing the two-month totals 9% higher in volume to 21,831 mt and 35% above last year's record value pace at $72.6 million.
* Strong growth in Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica pushed exports to Central America 4% higher in volume (14,790 mt) and 19% higher in value ($38.6 million) from a year ago.
* Exports to Vietnam climbed 241% in volume to 3,007 mt and 134% in value ($6.7 million). This included a strong year-over-year increase in variety meat exports, consisting primarily of pork feet.
February beef exports climb in most major markets
Japan, South Korea and Taiwan fueled beef export growth in February, but shipments also increased to key destinations in the Western Hemisphere, Africa and the Middle East.
February beef exports to leading market Japan increased 24% from a year ago to 27,099 mt and climbed 20% in value to $171.4 million. Through February, exports exceeded last year's pace by 10% in volume (52,304 mt) and 7% in value ($329.5 million). With a level tariff playing field, U.S. beef is regaining chilled market share in Japan, boosted by Japan's strong retail demand. On April 1, the start of the Japanese fiscal year brought another reduction in tariff rates (to 25.8% for beef muscle cuts), and the Japanese yen remains relatively strong.
Demand for U.S. beef continued to build momentum in Korea, where February exports totaled 23,532 mt (up 33% from a year ago) valued at $167.7 million (up 32%). This pushed the two-month total 16% ahead of last year's record pace in volume (41,326 mt) and 14% higher in value ($298.4 million). U.S. beef is also gaining further market share in Korea, with strong retail demand and increased sales through e-commerce platforms.
Other January-February highlights for U.S. beef exports include:
* Exports to Mexico were 5% above last year's pace at 41,862 mt, valued at $217 million (up 10%). Mexico is the largest volume market for U.S. beef variety meat, and January-February variety meat exports climbed 16% from a year ago in both volume (18,182 mt) and value ($49.3 million).
* Exports to Taiwan, which is an especially strong destination for chilled beef cuts, were 20% above last year's record pace in volume (10,051 mt) and 17% higher in value ($86.2 million).
* Exports to China/Hong Kong were down 16% to 12,501 mt, with value falling 8% to $111.2 million. But for China specifically, exports were up 12% to 1,408 mt, valued at $10.4 million (up 4%). With access to China now expanded (as of late March), USMEF expects momentum to build for U.S. beef in the world's largest import market.
* Strong growth in Peru and Colombia pushed exports to South America 26% above a year ago to 4,367 mt, valued at $20.6 million (up 11%).
* Guatemala and Panama fueled export growth to Central America, where volume climbed 22% to 2,868 mt, valued at $16.4 million (up 25%).
* Strong variety meat shipments to South Africa, Gabon, Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, and Mozambique pushed exports to Africa well ahead of last year's pace. Variety meat exports climbed 40% to 4,186 mt, valued at $3.2 million (up 37%), with livers and kidneys being the main items exported to the region. Total exports to Africa were up 37% in volume (4,226 mt) and 18% in value ($3.7 million).
February lamb exports trend lower; variety meat down sharply
A steep decline in variety meat shipments to Mexico pushed February lamb exports 65% below last year in volume (476 mt) and 45% lower in value ($1.3 million). Through February, exports were down 48% in volume (1,435 mt) and 25% in value ($3.4 million). Lamb muscle cuts fared better, with January-February volume down 4% to 470 mt, valued at $2.4 million (down 13%). Markets exhibiting promising muscle cut growth in 2020 include Japan, Jamaica and Canada.
[Category: Agriculture]
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Calls on Trump Administration to Give States Access to Drugs Needed to Treat Ventilated COVID-19 Patients
BETHESDA, Maryland, April 4 -- The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists issued the following news release:
The ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) has asked the Trump Administration to take steps, including releasing drugs from the Strategic National Stockpile to states hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing the quota for new production of opioids, to address critical shortages of medications needed to treat COVID-19 patients.
Opioids, sedatives, and paralytics are employed to ensure the successful use of ventilators. In a letter sent to Vice President Michael
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BETHESDA, Maryland, April 4 -- The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists issued the following news release:
The ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) has asked the Trump Administration to take steps, including releasing drugs from the Strategic National Stockpile to states hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing the quota for new production of opioids, to address critical shortages of medications needed to treat COVID-19 patients.
Opioids, sedatives, and paralytics are employed to ensure the successful use of ventilators. In a letter sent to Vice President MichaelPence, ASHP noted that the use of these medications has spiked as COVID-19 patient surge builds, and demand is outpacing supply and exhausting current allocations.
"Even if hospitals had all of the ventilators needed to keep patients alive, this critical shortage of medications could make it impossible to maintain COVID-19 patients on those ventilators, and therefore result in harm, "said ASHP CEO Paul W. Abramowitz, Pharm.D., Sc.D. (Hon.), FASHP. "It is imperative that the manufacturing of these medications be increased immediately and available supply is allocated based on current projections of critical care patient volume, rather than based on historical allocations, which do not reflect current need."
Some of these medications, including fentanyl, morphine, and hydromorphone, have been on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) shortage list for months. In some cases, hospitals are scrambling to replenish dwindling stock with only hours before they run out completely. This need will grow exponentially over the next few weeks as case numbers climb nationally.
Since the COVID-19 crisis began, ASHP has reached out to federal agencies and Congress to protect our critical drug supply. Along with the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, and others, ASHP sent the Drug Enforcement Administration a letter requesting that they immediately increase allocation of annual production quota for supportive opioids to manufacturers and 503B outsourcing facilities.
ASHP has also worked closely with the FDA to mitigate potential and ongoing shortages and requested additional regulatory flexibilities for hospitals and 503B outsourcing facilities to compound essential medications.
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About ASHP
ASHP represents pharmacists who serve as patient care providers in acute and ambulatory settings. The organization's nearly 55,000 members include pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians. For more than 75 years, ASHP has been at the forefront of efforts to improve medication use and enhance patient safety. For more information about the wide array of ASHP activities and the many ways in which pharmacists advance healthcare, visit ASHP's website, ashp.org, or its consumer website, SafeMedication.com.
[Category: Health Care]
American Hospital Association Statement on the Use of the CARES Act
CHICAGO, Illinois, April 4 -- The American Hospital Association issued the following statement by President and CEO Rick Pollack:
Nobody has been a stronger advocate for covering the uninsured than America's hospitals and health systems, particularly during a public health emergency. That's why we have encouraged the Administration to look at various options to provide coverage for treatment of the uninsured for the Coronavirus other than utilizing the emergency fund from the CARES Act. This could include opening up a special enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act's marketplaces, expanding
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CHICAGO, Illinois, April 4 -- The American Hospital Association issued the following statement by President and CEO Rick Pollack:
Nobody has been a stronger advocate for covering the uninsured than America's hospitals and health systems, particularly during a public health emergency. That's why we have encouraged the Administration to look at various options to provide coverage for treatment of the uninsured for the Coronavirus other than utilizing the emergency fund from the CARES Act. This could include opening up a special enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act's marketplaces, expandingMedicaid and using the National Disaster Medical System or other federal emergency programs, among other ideas. Hospitals and health systems also support the proposals from members of Congress for a new, separate fund to specifically address the costs associated with treatment of the uninsured.
The emergency relief fund in the CARES Act was intended to provide hospitals with an infusion of emergency relief as providers incur substantial expenses in preparing and dealing with fighting this battle against COVID-19. At the same time, given that virtually all regular operations have come to a halt--such as elective or scheduled procedures--there are limited revenues coming in, causing major cash flow concerns that threaten the viability of hospitals. This is also creating a historic financial crisis, threatening the ability to keep our doors open for both the insured and uninsured alike.
Because hospitals and health systems, and our dedicated caregivers, are on the front lines of this pandemic, we continue to urge the release of the CARES Act emergency relief funds as soon as possible. This critical funding will help ensure that our health care providers can continue to be there for everyone and have the support and resources that are needed to deliver care to their patients and communities.
[Category: Health Care]
American Coalition for Ethanol Urges EPA to Correct Renewable Fuel Standard Implementation Missteps for Biofuel Producers
SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, April 4 -- The American Coalition for Ethanol issued the following news:
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address a shortcoming in the Agency's implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) which has been exposed with the recent nosedive in gasoline use as a result of COVID-19, and reminded EPA of pending actions it can take to mitigate the economic fallout for biofuel producers and farmers.
At the time EPA set the 2020 RFS blending requirement and renewable volume obligation (RVO),
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SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, April 4 -- The American Coalition for Ethanol issued the following news:
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address a shortcoming in the Agency's implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) which has been exposed with the recent nosedive in gasoline use as a result of COVID-19, and reminded EPA of pending actions it can take to mitigate the economic fallout for biofuel producers and farmers.
At the time EPA set the 2020 RFS blending requirement and renewable volume obligation (RVO),the Agency projected gasoline demand would approach 143 billion this year. Today, due to the social distancing from COVID-19, as gasoline demand falls, it leads to reductions in ethanol blending, meaning the 11.56 percent RVO will not result in the use of 20.09 billion gallons in 2020 as required by statute. ACE says that without adjusting the percentage of renewable fuel volume obligated parties must use in 2020, EPA will be violating the RFS statute which amounts to an illegal waiver of blending volumes.
The letter (https://ethanol.org/Website%20Documents/ACE%20Letter%20to%20EPA%20-%20RVO,%20COVID-19%204.3.20.pdf) outlines three steps EPA has the authority to take:
* use existing statutory authority to issue an interim final rule by July 1 to increase the RVO for 2020 to the percentage necessary to ensure that the full 20.09 billion gallons required by law are used;
* restore the 500 million gallons of remanded volume as ordered by the DC District Court in 2017;
* based on the recent Tenth Circuit Court precedent regarding small refinery exemptions (SREs), EPA should deny most of the 25 SRE waivers pending for the 2019 RFS compliance year.
Read excerpts from the letter below:
"COVID-19 has exposed a flaw in EPA's RFS rulemaking approach. Social distancing, stay-at-home, and shelter-in-place orders are cutting gasoline demand by more than 50 percent in most of the country. As gasoline demand plummets during the coronavirus pandemic, so does ethanol demand, meaning the 11.56 percent RVO will not result in the use of 20.09 billion gallons in 2020 as required by statute. Without adjusting the percentage of renewable fuel volume obligated parties must use in 2020, EPA will be violating the RFS statute which amounts to an illegal waiver of blending volumes.
"Depending on how long gasoline demand continues to fall due to COVID-19 restrictions, ethanol use under the RFS could decline between 1 and 2 billion gallons. If EPA fails to act, this reduction in ethanol use would correspond to a loss of between 350 and 700 million bushels of corn demand. This would cost ethanol producers over $2 billion based on the six-month average price and farmers over $1.35 billion in 2020 according to current pricing information."
[Category: Energy]
