MN Biodiesel Mandate faces challenges -PLEASE CALL YOUR LEGISLATOR

PLEASE contact your local legislator and ask them NOT to allow any changes to Minnesota’s biodiesel mandate this year!  

 THIS IS A MESSAGE FROM THE MINNESOTA SOYBEAN GROWERS ASSOCIATION:

An effort is underway at the MN Legislature to undermine our current biodiesel mandate.  Minnesota’s petroleum jobbers are working to make changes to MN biodiesel legislation without open debate and discussions in any of the policy committees in Mn House or Mn Senate.  The deadline for any policy bills ended last Friday.  There was NO BILL introduced so the legislative rules state that should be the end of the discussion for this year.  However, there have been continuing discussions about amendments on bills in order to change the biodiesel mandate.  Biodiesel usage in this country has had a positive influence of $2.50 to $4.00 on soybean prices.  This issue has too many consequences to be done in a last minute attempt without adequate hearing.  It should not be done with only two weeks left in the session.

We believe this “back door” approach is NOT the way to address any concerns that anyone has with the biodiesel mandate.  We also don’t believe your local legislator should endorse this method of “doing backdoor politics. ”  PLEASE contact your local legislator and ask them NOT to allow any changes to Minnesota’s biodiesel mandate this year!  

When you talk to your local legislator you may want to refer to the following list of possible negative impacts that these “back door” changes to the biodiesel mandate could have. 

If you have any questions about this email please do not hesitate to contact MSGA President Krueger, any of Minnesota’s biodiesel producers, Jim Palmer or Mike Youngerberg. 

Please call your legislator today!!!!

CLICK ON THE LINK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW TO CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE

Concerns and Potential affects

1.      Negative impact on Soybean prices by negative speculation

2.      Loss of transportation margins of 5 cents per bushel

3.      Changes Minnesota’s image by reversing long standing positive policy on bio-fuels

4.      Possible impact on RFS2 and Congress

5.      Affect on present and future infrastructure investment-Sioux Falls retraction

6.      Redirect resources to Iowa

7.      Because of Iowa tax advantages , doesn’t solve the problem of border wars

8.      Pollution - Puts the equivalent of 55,000 cars back on Mn roads