by Keith Loria (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Washington, D.C., events provide opportunities for constituents to meet with lawmakers and help influence biofuels policy. — Getting the ear of members of Congress, state legislators or regulatory bodies is not always easy. So many of the ethanol industry’s top groups and organizations participate in Washington, D.C., fly-ins, which provide an opportunity to engage lawmakers and regulators directly.
“All lawmakers need to have a good understanding of what the biofuels industry is and the important role it plays in America’s overall economy,” says John Fuher, senior director of government affairs for Growth Energy. “It is up to our industry to make sure that lawmakers are well educated on policies and legislation because their vote and position on the issue can greatly influence the outcome of a bill.”
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“Personal stories go a long way on Capitol Hill,” she (Shannon Gustafson, senior director of operations and programming at the American Coalition for Ethanol) says. “Members of Congress and staff will take note of a visitor who travels the long distance to Washington, contributing personal time and expense to a cause. These events develop relationships between Hill staff and fly-in participants, so when a bill comes up in the future, the staff will know where to go for accurate information.”
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At its fly-in, an organization first gathers all its members and participants to review the top legislative priorities, then chooses a variety of speakers who have expertise in certain issues, says Roger Berry, director of market development for the Nebraska Corn Board.
“After this orientation period, the participants break into smaller groups and make visits to the members on the Hill,” he says. “In my opinion, this is the best part of a D.C. fly-in. We have an awesome opportunity and responsibility to make sure our lawmakers are hearing all sides of the issues they will be debating and voting on.”
After the Hill visits, participants gather again to learn about other topics pertinent to the ethanol industry and to explore future issues and goals.
In September, the National Farmers Union hosted more than 300 of its 200,000 members at its annual fall fly-in, advocating for expanded use of ethanol.
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Fuher and Gustafson say topics during Capitol Hill meetings during a fly-in could include the Renewable Fuel Standard, Reid vapor pressure, octane, low carbon benefits of ethanol, benefits to rural economies and success stories of retailers who offer blends higher than E10.
“We also walk participants through the logistics of attending Hill meetings, getting around Congressional offices, how to approach a meeting with staff or a member of Congress, and how to divide the work among team members,” Gustafson says. “We invite speakers from the regulatory side of things—someone from EPA, for example—to come meet with our group because so many of our priority issues are being handled by the executive branch.”
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Even states outside the Corn Belt benefit directly from policies such as the RFS, or RVP relief.
“Consumers across the country benefit from lower prices at the pump, a lessened reliance on fossil fuels, and from breathing cleaner air,” Gustafson says. “It’s important for lawmakers to understand the ripple effects policies like the RFS have across the country because we simply don’t have enough votes by relying upon the Corn Belt alone.” READ MORE
