September 23, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 153 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page S5617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            RENEWABLE FUELS

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Last week, Siouxland Energy, an ethanol plant in Sioux 
Center, IA, announced that they are halting production due to the 
unfair small refinery exemptions.
  This farmer-owned plant was annually buying 23.4 million bushels of 
corn from farmers in the area, and it also employed 42,000 people who, 
today, do not know when they will be able to go back to work. This kind 
of economic impact is a big deal in rural communities. If it spreads, 
it is going to create a lot of unemployment and closed ethanol plants 
in other places around the country. I have heard of production halts 
announced in other States as well.
  In fact, the ethanol industry supports more than 365,000 total jobs, 
and the biodiesel industry supports more than 65,000 total jobs. We 
have made great progress through the Renewable Fuel Standard in 
diversifying our Nation's fuel supply while creating jobs and 
strengthening local economies.
  We have to get this issue settled. I hope we can get an announcement 
from the EPA very soon about that so we can get these plants open and 
get these people back to work.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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