Energy
Nebraska is a biofuels powerhouse - the second and third largest producer of ethanol and corn, respectively, in the country. With 25 active ethanol plants and a capacity of more than 2.5 billion gallons, the importance of biofuels to our state economy cannot be understated. Biodiesel production in Nebraska has seen exponential growth as well. Thanks to innovation and technological developments, biodiesel production has grown from 25 million gallons in 2004 to 2.9 billion gallons in 2019.
Washington, DC — Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) joined his fellow co-Chairs of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Cindy Axne (D-IA), Rodney Davis (R-IL), and Mark Pocan (D-WI), in introducing bipartisan legislation to ensure transparency and predictability to the Environmental Protection Agency's small refinery exemption (SRE) process.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied 54 Small Refinery Exemption (SRE) petitions for past compliance years. Earlier this year, the 10th Circuit Court ruled SREs must be issued continuously under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
While Nebraskans have faced many challenges this year, particularly in our agriculture industry, the United States economy remains strong overall. Unemployment is at a 50-year low, wages are rising, and the GDP has been even higher than projected. The longtime strength of our economy is dependent on many factors, including a strong belief in the rule of law and property rights, a commitment to hard work and ingenuity, and consistent access to numerous sources of energy needed to grow, manufacture, and transport products across our state, nation, and the world.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement regarding EPA's Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) hearing today:
"The EPA's RFS policy has been wildly inconsistent. This policy is the latest example of the EPA failing to effectively implement promises the President has made to farmers, refiners, and consumers. Administrator Wheeler must follow the law when it comes to the RFS. All those affected by the EPA's actions should use the public comment period to make their voice heard."
It is hard to miss the importance of corn in our great state where we proudly refer to ourselves as Cornhuskers! In fact, the Midwest is often called the "Corn Belt," because corn is so integral to our economy and culture. We use every part of the plant, from feed to silage to ethanol to maximize its value. Ethanol, in particular, has been a positive economic driver for our corn producers.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement today after the Trump administration released the details of his plan to uphold the RFS.
"The RFS has been widely successful, bipartisan, and benefits producers and consumers alike. I am glad the President took action to rectify the hardships RFS waivers granted by the EPA have created. This action restores credibility to the RFS consistent with congressional intent and compliments the President's action to expand E-15."
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) will host an educational Infrastructure Seminar at Hastings Central Community College on October 3, 2019.
Energy is essential in every American's life. We use energy to do just about everything; drive to work, heat our homes, cook meals, and power our cell phones. As diverse as the uses for energy are, so too are the sources of this energy: oil, gas, coal, nuclear, biofuels, wind, hydro, and solar to name a few.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today released the following statement expressing his disappointment with the EPA's proposed rule on Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2020.