NCGA Reacts to USDA Rule Impacting Biofuel Tax Credit

The U.S. Department of Agriculture published an interim rule today that provides guidelines for climate smart agriculture practices for crops used for biofuels.

The tax credit, part of the Inflation Reduction Act, is designed to help the agricultural industry make inroads into the aviation sector. Farmers have long awaited today's release.

The new rule removes the requirement to bundle climate smart practices and instead allows corn to qualify as an eligible feedstock if individual practices are used to grow it. But farmers have also asked for more clarity on how they will benefit from the law.

"We are appreciative of Secretary Vilsack for ushering the process along and increasing the number of corn bushels that would qualify for the tax credit," said Illinois farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. "It is still unclear whether that is enough to enable farmer participation."

Additional opportunities for improvement would include the use of a book and claim system and the expansion of practices that would qualify for the credit, both of which would allow for greater farmer participation.

USDA will open a 60-day public comment period in which NCGA will continue to communicate the role farmers are playing in producing feedstocks for biofuels.

"Corn growers are poised to meet this market demand if given the opportunity," Hartman said. "We look forward to working with the Trump administration as this process evolves."