Energy
Nebraska’s farmers have been clear from the very beginning: they need reliable markets to sell their products. Every day, agricultural producers face countless factors outside of their control, whether that be commodity prices, input costs, or weather.
Federal regulations are a costly, overreaching web which stifles innovation, germinates uncertainty, and often burdens the very people they purport to protect. Regulatory overreach by the Obama and Biden administrations extended well beyond congressional intent – creating the potential to upend industry. I have continually worked to rein in this unchecked rulemaking and restore accountability to federal agencies, and I appreciate the progress we have made since January.
Spanning our state - Missouri River to panhandle - Nebraska’s Third District has been blessed with a breadth of natural resources. Although much of our state is naturally arid, generations of hard work, determination, and feats of engineering have maximized our resources to provide for local needs, feed the world, and minimize flooding risks.
In recent weeks, I’ve been grateful to be able to speak with many Nebraskans across the Third District’s 80 counties. While I make the most of the time I have in Nebraska throughout the year, the month of August provides a unique opening in the congressional calendar to connect with the people of our state.
Washington, D.C. – Today Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE), co-chair of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency announced action on Small Refinery Exemption petitions.
On August 8, 2005, President George Bush signed the Energy Policy Act into law. Among other measures, this bill established the Renewable Fuels Standard, which for the last two decades has supported a growing American energy sector by providing more affordable fuel options in addition to complementary markets for agricultural commodities.
Washington, DC — Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), both co-chairs of the Biofuels Caucus, announced introduction of the bipartisan Ethanol for America Act. This legislation would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize a rulemaking from 2021 to make the E15 fuel label clearer and more consumer-oriented. It would also confirm the compatibility of E15 with existing underground fuel storage and dispensing equipment, ensuring business owners are not required to make costly and unnecessary infrastructure changes.
This week, during a roundtable hosted by Western Sugar Cooperative, I met with representatives across several agricultural sectors from the Third District. I am grateful each time I’m able to connect with and thank the dedicated producers at the origination of the supply chains stocking our grocery stores, pantries, restaurants, fuel pumps, and more. Gathering their insights on the challenges they face and the importance of ensuring our tax code and Farm Bill programs work for them is essential for my work in Congress to support economic growth in our state.
During Independence Day weekend, the blessings of freedom and the memories of the American patriots who laid the foundation for our republic with the Declaration of Independence give us cause to celebrate! The United States has abundant natural resources, the world’s leading economy, and limitless opportunity, but our people are our greatest gift.
Washington, DC — Today Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) issued the following statement after the House passed the Senate amendment to H.R. 1, sending the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to President Trump's desk for signing into law.