Advanced BioFuels USA

by Ken Anderson (Brownfield Ag News)  Ethanol supporters are pushing back against what they say is a “false narrative” regarding Senator Ted Cruz’s victory in the Iowa caucuses.

Some political pundits say Cruz’s victory is a sign that the ethanol industry may be losing its political clout. But Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, says Cruz’s showing is being misinterpreted. Shaw says their analysis shows that 83 percent of Iowans supported pro-Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) candidates Monday night, which was higher than in the 2012 Iowa caucuses.

“I was very, very excited about the progress we made, both in terms of candidates and getting them to support the RFS, as well as with the voters in upping our pro-RFS percentage of vote on caucus night,” Shaw says.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley also disagrees with those who say ethanol and the RFS took a hit with Cruz’s victory.

“I think you look at one person that made a big deal out of doing away with the RFS. He came in tops, but you’ve got to remember that other people supporting ethanol got 72 percent of the vote, if you add them all up separately,” Grassley says. “We’re only through one state, so at this point I wouldn’t draw too many conclusions about ethanol.”  READ MORE and MORE / MORE (Ethanol Producer Magazine) and MORE (DomesticFuel.com) and MORE (Agriculture.com) and MORE (Iowa Public Radio) and MORE (Biofuels Digest) and MORE (Reason.com) and MORE (Grand Island Independent/Bloomberg) and MORE (The Hill) and MORE (DomesticFuel.com) and MORE (Harvest Public Media) VIDEO (American Council for Capital Formation

Excerpt from Ethanol Producer Magazine:  On her website under the issue of climate change and energy, Clinton doesn’t specifically mention the RFS, ethanol or bioenergy. However, she does indicate support for renewable energy, clean energy, and energy efficiency.

Sanders specifically addresses biomass and biofuels on his campaign website. Under the heading of improving the rural economy, information on the website notes that Sanders has successfully fought for several rural economic development initiatives, including large scale biomass-fired electric plants. His website also includes a section on renewable energy investment, noting “Sanders supports major investments in wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and other sources of renewable energy.” Regarding biofuels, the website notes “biofuels like ethanol have been an economic lifeline to rural and farm communities in Iowa and throughout the Midwest, supporting over 850,000 workers, all while keeping our energy dollars here at home instead of going into the pockets of oil barons in the Middle East and Russia.” It goes on to say “Sanders strongly supports the renewable fuels standard that is helping us move beyond oil,” and notes substantially increasing our investments in renewable energy will be a major priority in a Sanders administration.

On the republican side, America’s Renewable Future has given Bush, Carson, Christie, Fiorina, Kasich, Rubio, Santorum, and Trump favorable ratings on the RFS, noting these candidates have demonstrated consistent support for the RFS and Iowa farmers. Cruz and Paul were given poor ratings on the RFS, noting these candidates stood against Iowa farmers and the RFS. READ MORE