Hey everyone,
Now that we have had the time to digest the information from our annual event, the TopSoil Summit, I wanted to share some key takeaways and thoughts with you all. This year’s event was our most successful yet, and I’m excited to see how it continues to grow in the future.
Key Takeaways from the TopSoil Summit
1. Get Your Data Organized
One of the most important messages from the TopSoil Summit was the urgent need to get your data organized. Our partners in the verification and carbon tax credit space stressed that farmers need to understand their Carbon Intensity Score and start pursuing verification now.
At Continuum Ag, we’re facilitating this process and will be submitting our first tranche of data to the verifier before this year’s harvest. Early verification is a great way to get ahead of the curve and capitalize on incoming opportunities. Visit TopSoil.ag to get started.
2. Navigating Regulatory Uncertainty
There was a lot of discussion about the uncertainties we face, particularly regarding the IRS rules released at the end of May. These rules indicate that 45Z is still on track to start on January 1, 2025, but the final details are still pending. Recently, the USDA has called for public feedback to prepare for their discussions with the IRS, and we will be actively participating in this process. We will keep you updated on how you can support our message or craft your own to ensure your voice is heard in Washington, DC. Getting these rules right is crucial for the success of 45Z.
3. The Importance of Collaboration
The last takeaway from the TopSoil Summit was the need for collaboration. Farmers and biofuel companies cannot achieve their goals separately and we must work together. Recently, the Summit CO2 pipeline was approved by the Iowa Utilities Board, which is a significant step forward. However, with or without a pipeline, farmers play a crucial role in lowering the Carbon Intensity Score of ethanol. It takes collaboration and transparency to make these programs successful.
If you haven’t already, make sure to get your Carbon Intensity Score and review the verification protocol or start organizing your data and documentation to be ready for verification when the time comes.
Resources
For more information, check out the event recordings on our website, YouTube, or our TopSoil Podcast. If you have any CI-related questions, join our weekly CI Chit-Chats to get your answers.
Let’s make sure we are all prepared to take advantage of the opportunities ahead.
Thank you!
Check out the 45Z Partner Panel Below: