Dupage Policy Journal

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) recently met with Illinois Corn Growers and the Illinois Soybean Association to discuss the impact of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) delay in setting production levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014, additional opportunities for Illinois farmers associated with opening trade with Cuba and other agricultural matters.

“Illinois’ economy begins on the farm,” Durbin said. “Today, I was pleased to meet with members from two of Illinois’ largest farming organizations: the Illinois Corn Growers and the Illinois Soybean Association. As we head into another planting season, I look forward to working with them on identifying opportunities for growth in Illinois’ agricultural industry, from establishing a strong Renewable Fuel Standard to normalizing trade relations with Cuba.”

In Nov. 2014, the EPA announced that it would not be finalizing the volume standards under the RFS program before the end of 2014.

Durbin joined a bipartisan group of 32 Senators in February of this year in urging the EPA to fulfill its legal obligation to provide certainty to the biofuels industry and the thousands of workers it employs by setting long delayed production standards.

Also, Durbin recently announced the Freedom to Export to Cuba Act, which would lift the Cuban trade embargo and eliminate the legal barriers to Americans doing business in Cuba.