Fiorina Wants to Earn ‘A’ on Ethanol

Federal Regulation, Iowa, Opinions, Policy

December 8, 2015

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by Douglas Burns (Daily Times Herald) Republican presidential candidate tours Coon Rapids POET plant — … America’s Renewable Future, a highly visible advocate at presidential campaign events in Iowa, scored Fiorina, a Republican, as “needs work” on the Renewable Fuel Standard, a mandate for Iowa-grain-fed energy sources like ethanol. The ranking came out Nov. 10 as a “midterm” evaluation on an issue central to the state’s economy and will be updated with a final report before the Feb. 1 presidential caucuses in Iowa.

Fiorina toured the full POET Biorefinery plant east of Coon Rapids in Guthrie County on Sunday and spoke with about a dozen people, several of them farmers or ag-businesspeople connected to the facility with a 50-million-gallon annual ethanol capacity. POET Coon Rapids, which employs 42 people and lists about 440 investors, also produces distillers grain and corn oil.

“I do believe she’s taken steps, particularly getting educated around what the renewable fuels are and how it integrates with the national energy policy,” said William Howell, general manager of the Coon Rapids POET. “I think Carly’s come a long way with that.”

Fiorina told Howell and others she supports the Renewable Fuel Standard through its expiration in 2022.

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When asked if she would be a stronger supporter of ethanol than some candidates who have expressed hostility to the fuel in recent weeks, Fiorina shot back, “Are you talking about Ted Cruz?”

Cruz, a Republican U.S. senator from Texas, wants to eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“Maybe it’s because he comes from a big oil and gas state,” Fiorina said. READ MORE

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