Rural Issue

Renewable fuels and corn leaders discuss ‘economic crisis’ created by waivers

In the wake of new plant closures, four renewable fuels and corn industry leaders held a conference call with reporters Thursday to discuss “the economic crisis created by the Environmental Protection Agency’s overuse of Small Refinery Exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard”.  

Those participating were:

• Kelly Nieuwenhuis, a farmer near Primghar, Iowa, a member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, and president of the board at Siouxland Energy, a member of Growth Energy
• John Linder, a corn farmer in Edison, Ohio, incoming first vice president of the National Corn Growers Association, and member of the Ohio Corn Checkoff Board
• Ron Heck, a soybean farmer in Perry, Iowa, Secretary of the National Biodiesel Board, and former president of Iowa Soybean Association
• Daryl Haack, a corn farmer in Primghar, Iowa, member of the board of Little Sioux Corn Processors, treasurer of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, and Iowa Corn Industrial Usage & U.S. Production committee member