American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall recently penned a letter to the Biden administration, expressing concerns with high energy costs—especially diesel prices—across the country.
“Our nation’s food supply is driven by diesel,” Duvall wrote. “Every input that arrives on our farms and ranches is transported by a diesel engine whether that is by boat or barge, rail or truck. Our crops are planted by diesel engines and harvested by diesel engines. High diesel prices are severely impacting our farmers and ranchers, causing increased costs to consumers, and adding to food insecurity.”
He noted that although geopolitical challenges, worldwide demand for distillate fuel and seasonality all play a role in energy supplies and prices, so does public policy. AFBF supports increased domestic energy production, which includes more drilling, extraction and refining of domestic energy resources. Increased domestic production will enhance U.S. security and bring more supply online, reducing costs to all Americans, Duvall said.
The organization urged the Biden administration to explore all options, including removing regulatory barriers that limit the supply, production and distribution of diesel fuel. “Farm Bureau is committed to working with partners in the private and public sectors, your administration and Congress to address the current energy crisis,” Duvall concluded.
