Continuing our series on the candidates running for the Minnesota senate and where they stand on the issues surrounding Minnesota's ethanol industry, we head to district 25 where Sen. David Senjem is up against Sara Flick and district 32 where Sen. Mark Koran faces Joshua Fike. Only Senjem and Fike responded to our queries.

David Senjem (R)

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. 

Joshua Fike (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 am open to the idea and need to do more study on it. 

Q. Do you support accelerating the permitting process for installation of equipment to improve ethanol production and reduce emissions?

A. I don't support accelerating any permitting processes. If we accelerate it for the energy sources I like, I would be a hypocrite to then continue to make fossil fuel industries prove their safety.

Q. Do you support making higher ethanol blends, such as E15, available across Minnesota through infrastructure funding?

A. Absolutely. I have heard many personal stories from neighbors about them deciding to switch to E15 now that we have a few Kwik Trips popping up in the district. They now can reliably access the fuel and greater Minnesota would switch if they also had the access through other gas stations.