Decision 2020 Bioeconomy – 25 Declared Presidential Candidates and How They Stand on the Bioeconomy

July 03, 2019

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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who's best for you? Who's best for us? Who supports what you do, and how strongly? In this guide, we've looked at the policies and activities of 25 declared presidential candidates, which we have listed in alphabetical order. We've focused on bioeconomy issues, with a special focus on attitudes and positions re: the Renewable Fuel Standard.

We've looked at strong points and weak points for individual candidates. And, we've looked beyond renewable fuels and towards agriculture and nutrition, and the emergence of clean technology. Finally, we've selected and edited down quote material so that you can read their own words. The Decision2020 Guide will be revised as the campaign progresses, the field narrows, and candidates release more policies and statements relative to their vision for the bioeconomy's role.

Note: The Iowa polling results were averaged from the last 10 polls tracked by fivethirtyeight.com, as of the night before the first Democratic debates on 6/26/19. READ MORE

2020 Democrats Caught Between Corn and Ethanol Foes in Iowa (Bloomberg)

Memo to 2020 candidates: Biotech can save Iowa and the planet (Des Moines Register)

Iowa group focuses on engaging 2020 candidates on rural issues (Siouxland News)

Climate hawks fear Tom Steyer's presidential run could backfire (Washington Examiner)

STEYER RELEASES CLIMATE PLAN: (Politico's Morning Energy)

Energy dollars fueling presidential contest (E&E News)

These Candidates See Farming as a Climate Solution. Here’s What They're Proposing. (Inside Climate News)

Debate 2, Night 1: Progressives vs. Moderates (Our Daily Planet)

Biofuel Plants in Iowa Creating Spaces for Monarch Butterflies to ‘Fuel Up’ (WHO TV)

Democrats debate climate ambition (Politico's Morning Energy)

Dem Debate Night 2: Inslee Calls the Shots, Booker Keeps it Real (Our Daily Planet)

Excerpt from Bloomberg: Environmentalists are taking their case that corn-based ethanol is bad for the planet to the state that makes more of it than any other: Iowa.

They are bird-dogging presidential candidates such as Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker at rallies and town halls, trying to dissuade them from making politically convenient pro-ethanol pledges to get votes in corn country. Their message: biofuels are driving environmental harms, from disappearing wetlands to algae blooms in the Gulf of Mexico.

As Democratic 2020 candidates flock to Iowa this July 4 -- Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and Joe Biden will be there -- biofuel foes are challenging conventional wisdom that ethanol support is untouchable in Iowa.

So far, their efforts aren’t working.

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Biofuel foes view Iowa as the front lines of their fight. Campaign promises made there have a direct link to pro-biofuel policies in Washington, said Glenn Hurowitz, chief executive officer of Mighty Earth, a not-for-profit group that stationed activists in the state.

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Biofuel critics saw an opening this year. The Democratic field is crowded with coastal lawmakers who don’t have entrenched positions supporting renewable fuel. And many of the Democratic contenders are competing to outline bold plans for combating climate change -- some with visions of phasing out all liquid transportation fuels, whether made of corn or crude.

The National Wildlife Federation has armed presidential candidates with talking points crafted to help them prove they support rural America and corn farmers without endorsing ethanol at the same time. Activists also conducted door-to-door petition drives, panel workshops and volunteer training to emphasize the issue.

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Mighty Earth had other, early successes, recording Warren saying she wants “better biofuels” and using video of Booker saying he supports ethanol to spur a follow-up conversation with his staff.

The chairman of Washington-based Mighty Earth is former California Representative Henry Waxman. The group’s Iowa biofuel initiative was partially underwritten by Jerry Jung, a former chief executive of heavy equipment dealer Michigan CAT who blames the U.S. biofuel mandate for declines in the Monarch butterfly population.

...

Embracing ethanol has enduring political appeal as a way for candidates to show empathy for rural America -- a powerful tool for urban Democrats trying to court Midwest voters. And some Democrats, such as Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, see the issue giving them an opening against Trump, who promised to “protect“ ethanol on the campaign trail but has been more equivocal in the White House.

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And ethanol producers have established a new group -- called Biofuels Vision 2020 -- to help candidates appreciate “the benefits of renewable fuels for the environment, energy security and Iowa’s rural economies.”

“It’s everything Democrats want to talk about in terms of engaging rural America. It’s climate, it’s jobs, it’s environment and it’s rural income,” said Monte Shaw, head of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. “If they’re willing to learn and have a science discussion, then we’re going to be fine. The facts are on our side.” READ MORE

Excerpt from Politico's Morning Energy: STEYER RELEASES CLIMATE PLAN: Billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer unveiled his "justice-focused" climate change plan Thursday that calls for cutting "fossil fuel pollution" from all sectors to achieve a 100 percent clean energy economy and net-zero global-warming pollution by 2045. The $2.3 trillion plan hinges on social justice issues protecting low-income communities and workers, while pledging to declare climate change a national emergency, your host and POLITICO's Zach Montellaro report. READ MORE

Excerpt from Politico's Morning Energy: DEMS DEBATE CLIMATE AMBITION: It arrived more than an hour and a half into the debate, but Democratic presidential candidates fought over how aggressive their plans to address climate change must be. "Climate change is not a single issue. It's every issue," Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said on the stage, directing his fire at former Vice President Joe Biden. "These deadlines are set by science," he told Biden. "Unfortunately, your plan is just too late."

Biden pushed back that his plan called for "immediate action" and, pressed by moderators, vowed coal and fracking would receive no subsidies in his administration after officials "work it out." But that prompted Inslee to shoot back: "We cannot work this out. Our house is on fire."

Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.) laid out a new benchmark for candidates. "Nobody should get applause for rejoining the Paris climate accord. That's kindergarten," he said. "The only way we're going to deal with this is if the U.S. leads." READ MORE