Renewable Fuels a Potential Election-Year Issue for Iowa Voters

by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) Renewable fuels could be an issue in the race for the White House as indecisive voters in Iowa look for a way to whittle down a crowded field of Republican candidates, trade groups and polling organizations said Thursday.

At a briefing in Washington, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association joined other groups in saying that voters looking for a reason to back one candidate over another could turn to "niche issues" such as ethanol and biodiesel during the state's caucuses in February.

And with Iowa expected to be a swing state in the presidential election, candidates could be eager to back an issue that generates jobs, helps farmers and pumps money into the state's economy, they said.

The telephone poll of 500 likely Iowa voters found 57 percent were less likely to support a candidate for public office who opposed increasing ethanol use through the Renewable Fuel Standard ... READ MORE and MORE / MORE (Biofuels Digest) and MORE (The Tarrance Group)