Costa, Finstad Introduce GRAIN Dry Act to Expand Access to USDA Loans for Propane Storage

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21) and Brad Finstad (MN-01) introduced the Growing Rural Ag Infrastructure Needs to Deliver Rising Yields (GRAIN DRY) Act, which would expand the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to include storage of propane for agricultural purposes.

Currently, propane storage is not considered an eligible facility under the FSFL program. The GRAIN DRY Act would expand the loan program to include propane storage, a critical tool for drying grain and heating barns, allowing agricultural producers access to the same financing for propane storage that is available for other on-farm storage facilities.
 
“As farmers work toward a sustainable future, propane is an important component that powers a large segment of agricultural operations from milking parlors, irrigation engines to grain dryers,” said Costa. “This legislation provides economic opportunities for American farmers to increase their propane storage, cut fuel costs, and reduce supply chain disruptions in the future.” 

“The vast majority of grain dryers run on propane, making it a critical tool for Minnesota farmers,” said Finstad. “By opening up the FSFL program to include propane storage, we are providing farmers with the ability to stabilize their propane supply, giving them greater flexibility to lock in inputs for a commodity that has historically had supply shortages.” 

U.S. Representatives Costa and Finstad introduced the bill as a House companion to the Senate bill introduced by U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). 

The full text of the bill is available here.  

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Jim Costa is a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee and he serves as the Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy.