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Gov. Walz named chair of Governors’ Biofuels Coalition

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Announced last week, Governor Tim Walz was named 2019 chair of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition. In the role, Walz will work with governors from 22 states on advocacy efforts supporting regional and national biofuel policy development.

A longtime supporter of ethanol-blended fuels, Walz will serve as chair during what will be a crucial year for the future of ethanol. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will soon begin rulemaking for year-round sales of E15, and strong advocacy from groups like the Governors’ Biofuel Coalition will be crucial during this process. In a release by the Governors’ Biofuel Coalition announcing the appointment, Walz reaffirmed his support for expanding ethanol sales in Minnesota and beyond:

“We must adopt state and national policies that grow a biofuels industry vital to our states’ economies and the nation’s need to reduce carbon and other harmful emissions. Those policies include steps to open the market for ethanol as a source of clean octane to reduce the toxic aromatic content of gasoline and ground level precursors.  We will continue to urge EPA Administrator Wheeler to honor President’s Trump commitment to make E15 fuel available this summer as well as many overdue EPA regulatory reforms.”

In a statement released Thursday, Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) President Brian Thalmann expressed support for Walz as chair of the coalition:

 “The power of collaboration between state officials, federal officials, and biofuels supporters like Minnesota Corn has made our state a national leader in ethanol infrastructure with sales of ethanol-blended fuels at an all-time high,” Thalmann said. “We look forward to Governor Walz continuing this tradition on a national level to promote higher ethanol blends and a future of cleaner-burning fuels.”  

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem will work alongside Walz as vice chair of the Governors’ Biofuel Coaltion. Walz succeeds Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds as chair.

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