Today, we take a look at Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District where incumbent Michelle Fischbach is being challenged by Jill Abahsain. Only Fischbach responded to our queries.
Michelle Fischbach (R) US District 7
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, one of the first bills I supported in the 117th Congress was as an original cosponsor to a bipartisan bill to do just that.
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, I am an original cosponsor of a bill that provides the statutory clarity under the Clean Air Act to do just that.
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, the Renewable Fuel Standard provides a framework by which a sustainable, clean burning and economical fuel is a part of our fuel mix. It provides benefits for the consumer, for the environment, and for rural communities. Ensuring the annual volumes continue to grow, exemptions from the standard are not abused, and additional biofuel pathways are expeditiously approved are critical cogs to ensure that the RFS will continue to provide the numerous benefits we see today.
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 am a cosponsor of this legislation.
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. Biofuels production needs to be part of the conversation when policymakers are discussing climate change or reducing emissions in the transportation sector. Any discussion that ignores biofuels’ numerous benefits in this regard is not a serious solution. I’ve used my posts both on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Rules Committee to continually remind my colleagues of all stripes of this fact during the 117th Congress and will continue to do so in the future.
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