To the editor:
Now that election season has ended, our area finds itself with a new congressman and a new senator. They have to get caught up on issues and priorities, and our leaders already in office can refocus on the issues that impact Americans daily.
I hope incumbents and new members alike make addressing the deterioration of the rural economy a top priority. Farm income is down almost 50 percent over the last five years.
Part of the problem hurting our rural economies has been weak support for renewable biofuels at the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA currently restricts higher-blend biofuels from being sold during the summer.
Farmers across the Midwest rely on fuels like E15, a 15 percent ethanol blend, to drive demand for crops. Consumers also look to E15 to drive down prices at the pump. President Trump promised to lift this barrier, but the oil industry is still working hard to hold back growth in the biofuel industry.
Big oil companies are demanding special waivers under the Renewable Fuels Standard to chip away at the market for ethanol. That means less demand for Indiana corn and weaker farm income. This is why Congress must work to protect a strong renewable fuels standard and stop petroleum companies from squeezing farmers and American drivers.
I hope we can all count on Senator Todd Young, new Senator Mike Braun, and new Congressman Greg Pence to stand up for farmers and protect farmers and the fuel standards and use their relationships with President Trump to help push him to make year-round E15 a reality.
Jim Douglas
Flat Rock
