Continuing our spotlight on Election 2018, we head today to MN District 22B where Rod Hamilton is up against Cheniqua Johnson. The district is home to three ethanol plants - Highwater Ethanol, Heron Lake Bioenergy and a POET. There are also 11 companies within this district that work with Minnesota's ethanol industry and eight gas stations that offer higher blends of ethanol. Here are their answers to our questionnaire.
Rod Hamilton (R)
Q. The Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law calls for the consumption of at least 30 percent biofuels in transportation fuel by 2025, which would in turn reduce our dependence on imported oil and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Do you support the Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law?
A. Yes.
Q. At present, E15 cannot be sold in the summer months since Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) regulations have not kept pace with the addition of E15 into the fuel market. Although this is a federal regulation, there may be actions that can be taken at the state level. Will you support an initiative to fix this problem at the state level?
A. Yes.
Q. One of the challenges to making greater amounts of biofuels available to customers so as to fulfill the Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law is having the proper retail fuel storage and dispensing equipment. Will you support renewing funding to help fuel retailers upgrade their fuel storage and dispensing systems to offer customers E15 and higher ethanol blends?
A. Yes
Q. Minnesota's ethanol producers are eager to install combined heat and power and expander generators to reduce their energy usage inputs and greenhouse gas emissions. To jump start the use of these systems (which would also boost economic activity in rural Minnesota), a modest tax incentive would be necessary. Would you support this tax incentive?
A. The candidate was unresponsive to this question.
Cheniqua Johnson (D)
Q. The Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law calls for the consumption of at least 30 percent biofuels in transportation fuel by 2025, which would in turn reduce our dependence on imported oil and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Do you support the Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law?
A. My district is home to one of the three biodiesel plants in the state (Brewster, MN). I am pleased to see pro-biodiesel laws such as the Petroleum Replacement Promotion law in action supporting crop farmers and rural economies alike.
Q. At present, E15 cannot be sold in the summer months since Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) regulations have not kept pace with the addition of E15 into the fuel market. Although this is a federal regulation, there may be actions that can be taken at the state level. Will you support an initiative to fix this problem at the state level?
A. Yes, simply put, the RVP regulations are dated and not developed with the E15 that is now on the market in mind. Fixing this regulation in some way by extending a tolerance to E15 could lead to a growth in the ethanol industry and in turn, increased reductions in carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions as seen with ethanol usage.
Q. One of the challenges to making greater amounts of biofuels available to customers so as to fulfill the Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law is having the proper retail fuel storage and dispensing equipment. Will you support renewing funding to help fuel retailers upgrade their fuel storage and dispensing systems to offer customers E15 and higher ethanol blends?
A. Yes, support of these necessary upgrades in turn impact my constituents and Minnesota as a whole in a positive way by paving the path for increased biofuel usage. I also support efforts by farmer groups, the University of Minnesota, and state Representatives that have continued to advocate for additional funds to go towards agricultural research and education. These programs help create increased knowledge and understanding of biofuels and, ideally, support.
Q. Minnesota's ethanol producers are eager to install combined heat and power and expander generators to reduce their energy usage inputs and greenhouse gas emissions. To jump start the use of these systems (which would also boost economic activity in rural Minnesota), a modest tax incentive would be necessary. Would you support this tax incentive?
A. Yes, a reduction in energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions combined with an economic boost for my constituents in rural Minnesota is something I support.
Candidates and Biofuels Election 2018 Archives:
MN District 18B: Ashley Latzke Vs Glenn Gruenhagen
MN District 12B: Paul Anderson Vs Ben Schirmers