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APGA Asks USDA to Support RNG in Climate-Smart Agriculture Strategy

By Emily Wong posted 04-29-2021 12:36 PM

  
This week, APGA submitted a public comment in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) request for stakeholder input on a “climate-smart agriculture and forestry strategy.” USDA’s request was issued in response to the Administration’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.

APGA’s comment focused on the production of biofuels and renewable natural gas (RNG), following the lead of our strategic partners at NGVAmerica. Our comment expressed support for NGVAmerica’s submission and reiterated their call for USDA to play a leading role in promoting the production and use of RNG to address climate change and carve out a role for the agricultural community in the clean energy future. Support from agencies like USDA will be critical to ensuring the Administration’s climate change proposals provide a level playing field for all clean vehicle fuels.

Specifically, APGA encourages USDA to consider the role natural gas vehicles (NGVs) have already played in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Promoting the development and use of RNG in NGVs would only further advance their already existing environmental benefits. APGA also notes that biofuels and RNG have the potential to fill an important gap in the nation’s climate solution by providing an opportunity to reduce emissions in difficult to electrify applications like long-haul and regional trucking, transit buses, refuse trucks, and high horsepower off-road equipment.

A copy of APGA’s comment submission is available here.

For questions on this article, please contact Emily Wong of APGA staff by phone at 202-470-4262 or by email at ewong@apga.org.

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