Heitkamp Congratulates Dakota Spirit AgEnergy as it Begins Commercial Operations

Press Release

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today congratulated Dakota Spirit AgEnergy on the commercialization of its biorefinery near Spiritwood.

The biorefinery, operated by the Midwest AgEnergy Group, produces ethanol that accounts for about 20 percent of North Dakota's yearly fuel demand, helping diversify North Dakota's energy development. In addition to providing renewable fuel, the plant is also providing dry and modified distillers grains, corn oil, E85, a supply of new operating jobs, and a new market for area corn producers. A strong supporter of a true all-of-the-above energy strategy, Heitkamp has been an advocate for ethanol production, and she has long pressed the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that supports North Dakota farmers, workers, and industries.

"Dakota Spirit AgEnergy helps build out the true all-of-the-above energy strategy that exists in North Dakota, " said Heitkamp. "We do it all. To keep our state growing, we need strong, diverse energies and ethanol is a key piece of that. And to make sure our biofuels facilities can grow and hire workers, I've been pushing the EPA for a strong Renewable Fuel Standard -- which the agency delayed for far too long. The agency finally recently released new proposed volumes, but those volumes need to be better, and I'll keep fighting to support plants like this one so they can remain a key part of our energy supply. Operations at this facility will also boost North Dakota's economy by increasing value-added production, providing good jobs, and creating an additional market for local corn producers."

Heitkamp has long fought for the EPA to provide certainty to farmers and biodiesel workers, and has pressed the agency to issue a strong RFS rule by:

Bringing together Republicans and Democrats together to press for the EPA to end its delays of the RFS rule. This week, Heitkamp led a bipartisan group of 36 Senators in pressing the EPA to increase the proposed renewable volume obligation levels it finally set for biodiesel. Prior to the release of the EPA's rule in May, Heitkamp led a group of Senate Democrats this year and last year in calling on EPA to support policies that put biodiesel workers back to work and provide long-overdue certainty to producers. Heitkamp also joined 36 other Senators in April in calling for the EPA issue a strong RFS that drives innovation and growth in America's economy.

Called for the EPA to prioritize American-produced biodiesel. In January, Heitkamp called out the EPA for prioritizing the import of biodiesel from abroad over biodiesel from American producers -- including those in North Dakota -- hurting farmers, industry jobs, and rural communities.

Brought the EPA head to ND to hear from farmers and renewable fuels producers. In February 2014, Heitkamp brought EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to North Dakota to hear firsthand from farmers and renewable fuels producers about how the agency's proposal would reduce the effectiveness or the RFS and decrease the required amount of U.S.-produced biofuels. Heitkamp encouraged McCarthy to reverse the EPA's proposal and instead put forth a proposal that would promote investment in the next generation of biofuels, and support our economy and good jobs in rural North Dakota. Last November, the agency heeded her call, delaying the implementation of the misguided new standards.

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