Branstad, Ernst champion renewable fuels during Newton stop

As many supporters of the renewable fuels industry eagerly await the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision on the 2014 renewable fuel standard, Iowa’s national, state and local GOP candidates gathered in Newton to campaign for both their races and a fair RFS.

The GOP’s Iowa ticket came to Newton’s REG Plant at the request of the Iowa Biodiesel Board and Iowa Soybean Association, and didn’t bite their tongues in expressing their opposition to the EPA’s proposed cuts to the RFS.

Under the current proposal, biodiesel volumes would go from close to 2 billion gallons to 1.28 billion gallons and ethanol down from 14 billion gallons to 13.3 billion gallons.

In November 2013, Iowa’s elected officials from both sides of the party lines joined forces to champion Gov. Terry Branstad’s “Don’t Mess with the RFS” campaign, and the governor reiterated his support at Thursday’s event.

“Iowa is also the leader in producing biodiesel, ethanol, wind energy per capita —  so we are the renewable fuels capital of the United States and it’s very important to our economy, our farm income, to quality jobs, to reducing our dependency on foreign oil and making a greater, safer and secure country,” Branstad said. “So that’s why I’m so passionate and why I’ve fought so hard for the renewable fuel standard.”

U.S. Sen. Candidate Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, also expressed strong support for renewable fuels as her 99-county “Iowa Knows Best” tour, which features a bus that is powered by biodiesel, is underway.

Ernst said she’s pro-renewable fuels because of both her agricultural background and the fact that she’s served in Iraq as member of the Iowa National Guard.

“When we talk about boots on the ground, I’m someone who has had those boots on the ground in Iraq. So anything that we can do to make our nation more energy secure, more energy independent I certainly am going to support those efforts,” Ernst said.

Newton’s REG plant broke ground on a $13 million expansion in February, a move Branstad applauded. He also commended the company for having 25 employees at its Newton location and for creating 40 construction jobs during the expansion process.

“I learned that this facility alone supports over 800 jobs in this area. That is true economic development, and true economic growth and we are truly grateful for all you do to make that happen. That is music to our ears,” said. Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds.

All of the candidates expressed a strong desire for the EPA to keep the current renewable fuel levels in tact, saying biodiesel supports 7,000 jobs in Iowa and close to 40,000 ethanol jobs in the state.

The reason Iowa is tied in with renewable fuels is because Iowa has more than 40 ethanol plants and 12 biodiesel plants, which ranks among the highest in the nation.

In addition, corn and soybeans are key components in the production of both products and Iowa does lead the nation in production in both of those categories.

The EPA hasn’t revealed when it will make its decision on the 2014 RFS and most of the candidates vowed to keep pushing to keep the current volume requirements in place.

“I just want to reinforce my commitment to the renewable fuel standard and that we will make sure we continue supporting that, and I will continue supporting that as your next United States Senator,” Ernst said.

Contact Senior Staff Writer Ty Rushing at (641) 792-3121 Ext. 6532 or trushing@newtondailynews.com