Renewable fuels supporters launch campaign

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad has joined promoters of Iowa's multibillion dollar renewable fuel industry to launch a campaign to educate potential 2016 presidential candidates on the benefits of the Renewable Fuel Standard.

The bipartisan effort, led by former Democratic Lt. Gov. Patty Judge and former Republican Rep. Annette Sweeney, will be a multimillion dollar effort to target candidates and caucusgoers alike.

'Americans of both parties know that a robust RFS creates jobs in America, reduces our dependency on foreign oil and offers more consumer choice,” Branstad said at a Statehouse news conference Thursday. Industry groups said renewable fuels accounted for about $5.6 billion in economic activity or about 4 percent of the state GDP.

The last time there was a wide open race for both party's presidential nominations was in 2008, just shortly after the RFS was adopted.

'A lot has changed,” Branstad said.

Since then, 17 biorefineries have been built, ethanol production has doubled, biodiesel production has tripled and commercial-scale production of cellulosic ethanol has been launched with three facilities, he said.

Not only has corn- and soybean-based fuel created another market for producers, but it has resulted in $5 billion a year in wages paid and 73,000 jobs, according to America's Renewable Future.

The grass roots effort is an attempt to counter the millions of dollars the oil industry spends to protect itself and curtail the renewable fuel industry, Branstad said.

'More important than money is you, the people,” he said, as well as investors, like himself, who have put their money into growing the industry.The group wants to make sure the candidates as well as Iowans who will attend the 2016 precinct caucuses know the importance of renewable fuels.

Asked about the political impact on candidates who don't support the RFS, specifically former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Branstad said the idea is not to 'prejudge” anyone.

'I'm not sure Gov. Perry can't be educated on this issue,” he said. 'He's a Texas farmer, a friend of mine and he's done a lot for economic development.”