Today, we head to Minnesota's First Congressional District where Brad Finstad is up against Jeff Ettinger. Here are their responses to our queries:
Brad Finstad (R) US District 1
Q. Do you support making higher ethanol blends, such as E15, more widely available to consumers by investing in infrastructure incentives like the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Higher Blends Infrastructure Investment Program (HBIIP)?
A. Yes. Continued investment in biofuel infrastructure is critical to its future role in our fuel mix. HBIIP carries a dual benefit of making higher blend biofuel more available, creating great consumer choice while providing an important cost-share for retailers to incentivize the adoption of biofuel blends in their marketing strategies. I proudly support this important program.
Q. Do you support legislation to amend the Reid Vapor Pressure limitation established under the Clean Air Act to allow year-round sales of E15?
A. Yes. Due to recent court action, statutory clarity is needed to ensure E15 is available to consumers in future summer months. This issue has been and will be a top priority for me. I will work with my colleagues to include this statutory fix in any available legislative vehicle going forward.
Q. Do you support the policy known as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which requires that a minimum volume of ethanol be blended into gasoline each year? If yes, how would you go about providing for certainty in the program to allow for continued growth and innovation?
A. Yes. Continued oversight of the EPA with respect to the timely release of annual volume obligations, limiting exemptions of obligations, and timely approval of innovative pathways is critical to the continued success of the program. In addition, updating the methodology by which the EPA models biofuel's greenhouse gas emissions will be helpful in setting the record straight on the benefits biofuels have with respect to the climate.
Q. Do you support the Next Generation Fuels Act (H.R. 5089/S. 4621), which is a proposal to expand the sale of fuels with higher-octane ratings and increase the amount of ethanol that can be utilized in the fuel supply?
A. Yes. I support efforts to ensure that ethanol continue to be part of our national energy plan.
Q. Do you believe that biofuels, including ethanol, have a role to play in legislation that would establish a national clean fuel policy or low carbon fuel standard?
A. Yes. Any so-called "clean fuel policy" that does not include biofuels ignores the objective data supporting biofuel's climate benefits and falls woefully short of my support. In addition, biofuels are a fuel source that stands out in that we can currently source and produce entirely within the U.S. So ignoring this product in a clean fuel policy also ignores its benefits in reducing our dependence on foreign fuel or minerals, which should be top of mind when considering any new energy policy.
Jeff Ettinger (D) US District 1
Q. Do you support making higher ethanol blends, such as E15, more widely available to consumers by investing in infrastructure incentives like the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Higher Blends Infrastructure Investment Program (HBIIP)?
A. Yes – not only that, but I think we need someone with a business background to make the case in Congress for why expanding higher ethanol blends is an essential part of growing the American economy.
Q. Do you support legislation to amend the Reid Vapor Pressure limitation established under the Clean Air Act to allow year-round sales of E15?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you support the policy known as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which requires that a minimum volume of ethanol be blended into gasoline each year? If yes, how would you go about providing for certainty in the program to allow for continued growth and innovation?
A. Yes. We can't keep making changes to programs like these every other year. Being able to forge bipartisan relationships is critical to the future of the program. I have donated to and voted for Republicans AND Democrats in the past. I know how to work with people from either party because I have spent my entire life doing it. We need to pass long-term legislation that builds certainty that business leaders in our community can rely on.
Q. Do you support the Next Generation Fuels Act (H.R. 5089/S. 4621), which is a proposal to expand the sale of fuels with higher-octane ratings and increase the amount of ethanol that can be utilized in the fuel supply?
A. Yes – and once again, I think it's critical that our district has someone with a business background that can make the case for programs like these in Congress.
Q. Do you believe that biofuels, including ethanol, have a role to play in legislation that would establish a national clean fuel policy or low carbon fuel standard?
A. Yes, they will play a critical role.
Archives:
Carolyn Treadway (District 19A)
Patrick Baustian (District 21A)
Ryan Wiskerchen (District 51A)