On March 26, the Trump administration waived enforcement of EPA regulations, stating that industries would have difficulty complying with them because of COVID-19. Oil and gas operations, farms, and thousands of similar operations have been granted permission to bypass environmental rules that are intended to protect health and the environment, according to the Associated Press. Reynolds directed the remaining funds to livestock programs, new farmers, meat processors, fruit and vegetable growers and the schools that buy their produce from local growers. As of this week, production has resumed to around 85 to 95 percent of capacity. He hopes that the money will give producers more time to recover and help prevent plants from being permanently closed. Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, says that he is grateful for the funds since as much as half of Iowa’s ethanol production came to a halt during the worst stages of the pandemic. Both sectors suffered during the early stages of the pandemic when demand for gasoline dropped, and renewable fuel producers did not receive any funds directly through the CARES Act at that time, according to Iowa Public Radio. Iowa is directing $15.5 million in grants to biofuel producers and $7 million to renewable fuel retailers. Kim Reynolds announced Tuesday that $100 million of CARES Act funds will go to several agricultural sectors in Iowa. There are a few chances of rain across the state in the 10 day forecast, but drought conditions are likely to persist. This comes as an extra blow to farmers who have already experienced crop damage after the derecho swept through earlier this month.Ģ1% of Iowa corn is now in “poor or very poor” condition according to the USDA. Crops in west-central Iowa are suffering under extreme drought conditions and a recent wave of high temperatures, and crop yields will likely be affected. ![]() ![]() These could be the driest conditions recorded since the drought of 2012, according to a Siouxland Proud article.Įvery county in Iowa is now experiencing drought conditions, but the western part of the state has been hit the hardest. 61% of Iowa is now in at least moderate drought, with 29% in severe drought and roughly 7% in extreme drought. Roughly 96% of Iowa is now considered at least abnormally dry as drought conditions worsen across the state.
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