Brooke Rollins, chosen by Donald Trump for the position of Secretary of Agriculture, has pledged to support all energy sources, including biofuels, despite her past opposition to ethanol as a leader of the Texas Public Policy Institute. A longstanding battle between fossil fuel producers and biofuel advocates has softened with the increasing investment of oil companies in renewable fuels.
Over a third of the annual corn harvest in the United States is used to produce biofuels, but the growing sales of electric vehicles (EVs) pose an increasing threat to ethanol demand. Trump invoked emergency powers to boost domestic energy production, including measures to increase sales of fuels containing 15% ethanol (E15) and to reduce subsidies favoring EVs.
Biofuel advocates hope for clarification on Rollins’ stance regarding sustainable fuel production, particularly for aviation, a strategic sector for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Rollins is seen as a potential ally for farmers and biofuel advocates due to her close work with Trump and his “America First” policy.
Source: Bloomberg