Marc Heller of E&E News reports on how high energy costs will impact American farmers.
- Supply chain shocks and a volatile global energy market have sent the price of diesel to over $5 per gallon, which is negatively impacting small farms more than large ones.
- Nationally, farmers spent $7.1 billion on diesel in 2020 to power tractors and other essential farm equipment.
- America’s farmers, who are our first environmentalists, are essential to feeding the country and addressing climate change.
- The administration and Congress can lower fuel costs by reducing regulations for domestic energy production and investing in next generation technologies.
“While average consumers are grumbling about $4 gasoline for their cars, the impact to farmers dwarfs what the typical American driver experiences. Diesel prices have climbed faster than gasoline to begin with, and farmers have to buy it in big quantities. Patterson said he bought 73,000 gallons last year and 76,000 gallons the prior year.”
Read the full article here.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.
