Continuing our series on candidates running for Minnesota Senate seats, we head to district 49 today where Sen. Melisa Lopez Franzen is up against Julie Dupre and district 1 where Sen. Mark Johnson faces Reed Perkins. Both Dupre and Johnson did not respond to our queries.
Melisa Lopez Franzen (D)
Q. Do you support Minnesota’s Petroleum Replacement Law (Minn. Stat. 239.7911), which calls for the consumption of at least 30 percent biofuels in transportation fuel by 2025?
A. Yes.
Q. Given the large number of spark ignition engine powered vehicles on the road and the need to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, what is your position concerning a Minnesota Low Carbon High Octane Fuel Standard/Clean Fuels Policy which would result in higher consumption of ethanol?
A. I believe that we should consider the efficiency benefits of higher blends in flex fuel vehicles and new engine technologies optimized for high octane fuel. The use of flexible fuel and increasing the consumption of ethanol will only benefit MN. MN is one of the top ethanol producing states, we need to continue to grow jobs in the ethanol industry as it benefits our local economy. We also benefit from cleaner air as a result of lower greenhouse gas emission, therefore creating a cleaner and safe environment for Minnesotans.
Q. Do you support accelerating the permitting process for installation of equipment to improve ethanol production and reduce emissions?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you support making higher ethanol blends, such as E15, available across Minnesota through infrastructure funding?
A. Yes.
Reed Perkins (D)
Q. Do you support Minnesota’s Petroleum Replacement Law (Minn. Stat. 239.7911), which calls for the consumption of at least 30 percent biofuels in transportation fuel by 2025?
A. Yes.
Q. Given the large number of spark ignition engine powered vehicles on the road and the need to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, what is your position concerning a Minnesota Low Carbon High Octane Fuel Standard/Clean Fuels Policy which would result in higher consumption of ethanol?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you support accelerating the permitting process for installation of equipment to improve ethanol production and reduce emissions?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you support making higher ethanol blends, such as E15, available across Minnesota through infrastructure funding?
A. Yes. I will be a strong proponent of biofuel research and implementation here in Minnesota and will do my best to fight the refinery waivers we've seen coming in from the federal level.
Archives:
MN Senate Candidates:
MN House Candidates:
District 01A: Connie Lindstrom
District 09B : Ron Kresha, Laura Wright