Senator Vows to Bring the 'Iowa Way' to D.C.

by Amanda Peterka (E&E Daily) Joni Ernst's new office is about 1,100 miles from her hometown in rural southwest Iowa, but she's determined to keep her "Iowa way" in the halls of Congress. ...

When it comes to legislation, her Iowa way involves supporting the Keystone XL pipeline while at the same time backing incentives for renewable fuels. It also encompasses fighting what she considers excessive environmental regulation against farmers.

In the months running up to the November election, Ernst campaigned on a platform that included opposition to U.S. EPA regulations over climate change and proposed changes to which waters of the United States receive automatic Clean Water Act protections -- both of which she said would hurt farmers' wallets. She promised to shut down EPA, arguing that environmental protection was better in the hands of state regulators.

Ernst has also said she believes the climate is changing but cannot say for certain whether humans are the cause.

... "I've heard arguments from both sides, but I do believe in protecting our environment."

Ernst won the support of the Iowa Farm Bureau in her campaign, and Iowa political observers expect she'll continue to support farmers and their priorities, including the federal renewable fuel standard and the wind production tax credit.

Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, also said he expects Ernst to be a "strong supporter" of the ethanol industry, adding that she "well understands the importance of ethanol" to Iowa -- the nation's top ethanol-producing state. READ MORE