Biofuels officials in the Northern Plains are very concerned about the turmoil in the energy markets and the economic pressures being faced by ethanol plants across the region. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association’s Executive Director Monte Shaw says there’s been a series of factors hitting ethanol producers with the latest being the coronavirus.

He says if the current economic downturn continues there will be ethanol plants going out of business.

Minnesota Biofuels Association Executive Director Tim Rudnicki says they’re still assessing what’s happening but believe the best solution would be for the Trump Administration to follow the 10th Circuit Court ruling and make sure the lost biofuel gallons through the small refinery waivers are re-allocated.

The Renewable Fuel Association notes that the economic constraints hitting the biofuels industry has been caused by the coronavirus, but also the oil price war, ongoing trade disputes and the small refinery exemptions.