Today we head to Minnesota senate district 19, where Kate Falvey is up against John Jasinski, and district 20, where Bradley Drenckhahn faces Steve Drazkowski. Only Falvey and Drenckhahn responded to our queries.
Kate Falvey (D) District 19
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. If I understand this correctly, the bill calls for transportation fuel to be 30% ethanol or biofuel, as opposed to the current, most common 10-15%? If this is the case, I am in support. I believe that biofuels will be a great method for us to start using less and less petroleum.
Q. Do you support a role for ethanol in clean fuel standard legislation?
A. Ethanol does a play role in clean fuel standard legislation. However, we must remain cautious about its energy input vs. output ratios (how much energy it needs to make vs. how much it provides) in our vehicles. Also, the only way this will work is if we can also get the car manufacturers on board with biofuel and ethanol-based engines. As more and more biofuel is injected into the system, the cars must also be able to handle it.
Q. Do you support accelerating the permitting process for installation of equipment to improve ethanol production and reduce emissions?
A. It think this depends on what the permit is exactly for - it would have to be a case-by-case basis.
Q. Do you support making higher ethanol blends, such as E15, available across Minnesota by funding compatible infrastructure at retail stations? If yes, would you prefer the funding source to come from the General Fund or a fee placed on each gallon of liquid fuel sold in Minnesota similar to the Petrofund program?
A. I think that giving aid for the infrastructure for these types of installations would be a good idea. If you are asking for the state government to COMPLETELY fund these improvements/changes to gas stations, no, I do not agree with this. Mostly, I do not believe it is likely to get passed when there are other fuel efficiency subsidies that are more popular and/or more effective.
Bradley Drenckhahn (D) District 20
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. I'm honestly not familiar with that statute. It sounds like a sound idea but I would want to know more before committing to it.
Q. Do you support a role for ethanol in clean fuel standard legislation?
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 by funding compatible infrastructure at retail stations? If yes, would you prefer the funding source to come from the General Fund or a fee placed on each gallon of liquid fuel sold in Minnesota similar to the Petrofund program?
A. Maybe, but it would depend on the funding source.I'd like to learn more.
Archives:
Carolyn Treadway (District 19A)
Patrick Baustian (District 21A)