NCGA’s Doggett Addresses Biofuels, Infrastructure Repairs

Ethanol contains half the carbon of gasoline.
Ethanol contains half the carbon of gasoline.
(File Photo)

As President Joe Biden’s administration continues to roll out plans to preserve soils and water it says are negatively affected by climate change, the country’s commodity organizations are weighing in with their respective views.

National Corn Growers Association CEO Jon Doggett told AgriTalk Host Chip Flory on Monday that biofuels could contribute to the nationwide effort.

Specifically, Doggett says he’s been encouraged by EPA Administrator Michael Regan’s reaction to the role biofuels could play in addressing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and even health-related issues.

“One way that we succeed in agriculture is when we solve somebody else's problems,” Doggett says. “Fortunately, we have some products that meet those needs and solve those problems.”

He references a recent report by Argonne National Laboratory saying ethanol could address carbon dioxide (CO2), which makes up a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

“The report says ethanol contains about half the amount of carbon that gasoline does, which is a pretty cool statistic,” Doggett says.

Flory notes that USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has not missed an opportunity to educate Regan and others in the Biden Administration about ethanol.

A need for infrastructure improvement.  Doggett also addressed the American Jobs Plan during the AgriTalk segment.

He says the Biden Administration’s $2 trillion infrastructure proposal includes several provisions directly impacting corn growers and rural communities.

Included in the Biden Administration plan is a proposed $17 billion for inland waterways, coastal ports, land ports of entry, and ferries. An NCGA press release says the inland waterways system is essential to getting U.S. corn to export, with more than 60% of the grain produced in the United States being transported by barge.

Work needs to be done to bring the nearly 12,000 miles of commercially navigable channels and 240 lock sites up to date, Doggett says.

The complete AgriTalk discussion between Doggett and Flory is available here:

 

Latest News

APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies
APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies

The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there's no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.

Markets Chop Ahead of Report and Month End:  What Will the Markets Trade After the Reports?
Markets Chop Ahead of Report and Month End: What Will the Markets Trade After the Reports?

Grain and livestock markets see 2-sided trade Thursday morning ahead of month end and USDA data. What will the markets trade after the reports? Randy Martinson, Martinson Ag, has insight.

The Untold Farmer Stories Of Ukraine: Q&A With Howard Buffett
The Untold Farmer Stories Of Ukraine: Q&A With Howard Buffett

Farmer and philanthropist Howard Buffett held a fireside chat during the 2024 Top Producer Summit to share his experiences visiting the front line of Ukraine over the past two years.

Tax Credits and Carbon Capture: How Ethanol Plants Offset Costs
Tax Credits and Carbon Capture: How Ethanol Plants Offset Costs

Ethanol plants are exploring carbon capture technologies to reduce their carbon intensity (CI) scores and qualify for tax credits.

AgDay TV Markets Now: Mike Zuzulo Says Row Crops Cautious Ahead of Report, Cattle Recover
AgDay TV Markets Now: Mike Zuzulo Says Row Crops Cautious Ahead of Report, Cattle Recover

Mike Zuzulo with Global Commodity Analytics says farmers and funds have sold in the corn market the last couple of sessions with uncertainty on several fronts, including growing concerns about the USDA reports. 

SoyFoam:  Fire Fighters Demo First Soybased Fire Suppressant
SoyFoam: Fire Fighters Demo First Soybased Fire Suppressant

Fire fighters from across the U.S. participated in a fire demonstration at the Dalton, Georgia fire department looking at the effectiveness of Soyfoam, the first soy based fire suppressant.