Modifying the Message: With a Democratic-Majority House of Representatives, the Ethanol Lobby Emphasizes Carbon Reduction.

by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The ethanol industry has done a great job making friends throughout the political spectrum, says John Fuher, vice president of government affairs for Growth Energy. “You have to have support from people across the divide,” he says, from the most liberal to the most conservative. “I think that’s something this industry has done very well. We have some strong Republicans and we have some strong Democrats among our strongest supporters.”

Ethanol provides a host of public policy benefits such as economic development, reducing dependence on foreign oil and carbon reduction, says Brian Jennings, CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol. “It’s always important to give thoughtful consideration to the audience you’re trying to convince to support you,” he says.

“The key for ACE is to be cognizant of the fact that House Democratic leadership is going to want to do a lot in the way of reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) and addressing climate change,” Jennings says. “Ethanol is part of the solution. … It’s really incumbent upon the industry to go on offense when it comes to positioning ethanol as something that can be part of the solution to reduce greenhouse gases.”

Kathy Bergren, the National Corn Growers Association’s public policy director in renewable fuels, agrees. “For many House Democrats focused on climate change and reducing carbon emissions, NCGA is reminding them that ethanol reduces emissions and, in fact, results in 43 percent less GHG emissions than gasoline,” she says. “Particularly for new members of Congress, we want them to understand how ethanol is part of the solution, as well as how increased farmer productivity and changes in farming practices continue to make ethanol an even better option to reduce GHG emissions and improve air quality.”

Republicans also don’t see the government playing a large part in carbon reduction, while Democrats do. “I think there’s just a difference in looking at carbon and what role the government plays in taking on a reduction in carbon,” Fuher says.

The priority difference is illuminated in the number of climate change hearings held in the House since its new members took their seats.

Hearings provide opportunities for the industry to communicate ethanol’s carbon-reduction benefits from both conventional corn and second-generation feedstocks, he says.

Staff from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office have reached out to ACE to discuss what role ethanol can play in GHG reduction, Jennings says. “Nancy Pelosi remembers, frankly, that the 2007 energy bill included [a Renewable Fuel Standard] that was very important for rural Democrats,” he says. “She has a long memory and she recognizes that it was a very beneficial step for rural Democrats to support and she wants to see if we can build upon that success, according to what her staff has indicated.”

“The RFS was expanded under Speaker Pelosi’s leadership when Democrats were last in control of Congress, so we look forward to her continued support for ethanol while also working to build relationships with the many new members of Congress,” Bergren says.

Jennings says other important longtime supporters include Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., who has been a loud champion for the RFS. Fuher says Growth Energy has established connections with new Democratic Reps. Cindy Axne and Abby Finkenauer of Iowa. New Republican representatives who have worked with Growth Energy in support of ethanol include Dusty Johnson of South Dakota and Jim Hagedorn of Minnesota.

And Democratic presidential candidates who traditionally have not lined up behind ethanol are expressing support on their campaign trails in Iowa. They include Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

“Democratic presidential candidates see the need to have a focused rural strategy because winning the presidency without rural voters is very difficult,” Fuher says, adding President Donald Trump “catapulted to victory” largely because of his performance in rural America. “There are a lot of Democrats who see that that can’t happen again if they want to win the presidency.” READ MORE

Excerpt from Politico's Morning Energy: BIDEN ON ENERGY INDEPENDENCE: Joe Biden pitched optimism during his first official speech as a 2020 presidential candidate Monday, in part by touting a line at odds with some environmental advocates hoping to transition away from fossil fuels. The former vice president said he was optimistic "we are in a better position than any nation in the world to own the 21st century," adding: "North American energy makes us independent." Biden also called for rebuilding America with "clean, renewable energy" and "cleaner, safer, faster transportation."

NO MORE PLAYING NICE: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's campaign responded to Beto O'Rourke's $5 trillion climate change plan introduced Monday by hitting the presidential contender for his record on the Hill. O'Rourke "will need to answer why he did not lead on climate change in Congress and why he voted on the side of oil companies to open up offshore drilling," Inslee's campaign manager said in a statement. READ MORE