GRAIN DRY Act
The GRAIN DRY Act (S. 1826) proposes a narrow change to the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act by clarifying that propane storage is an eligible use of funds under the storage facility loan program. Specifically, the bill adds on-farm propane storage facilities to the list of purposes eligible for loans, so long as the propane is primarily used for agricultural production (as defined in 7 CFR 4279.2). This clarification applies to funds to assist both general producers and “agricultural producers” in constructing or upgrading propane storage facilities. The aim is to support rural infrastructure and farm operations that rely on propane, such as grain drying or heating, by ensuring on-farm propane storage can be financed through the existing loan program.
Key Points
- 1Expands eligibility to include propane storage facilities used for agricultural production under the storage facility loan program.
- 2The eligibility is limited to propane primarily used for agricultural production, with the definition drawn from 7 CFR 4279.2 (as in effect on enactment date).
- 3The change is an interpretation of existing loan program funds, not an expansion of total funding levels.
- 4Delaware (the CFR reference) ensures a consistent regulatory standard for what qualifies as propane used in farming.
- 5The bill preserves the existing framework of "funds for producers" but adds a second eligible use specifically for on-farm propane storage facilities.