Q. The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is a federal law which has implications for Minnesota. Do you support or oppose the RFS? What is the basis for your support of opposition to the RFS? Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. 239.7911) calls for the increasing use of biofuels, such as ethanol, over the next 10 years. If you were in a position where you could change the law, would you maintain it as is or modify it? Please tell us why you would either maintain the law or modify it.
A. Renewable fuels have been and are a great way to add value to Minnesota’s agricultural output, and I want to see them succeed. The ultimate success of the renewable fuels industry will be based upon their ability to compete in the marketplace, or the industry will always be subject to the whims of politicians and regulators.
I am uncomfortable setting arbitrary deadlines for standards. Recent experience has shown that such deadlines are often difficult or impossible to meet, and they can also lead to damaging and unnecessary conflict between stakeholders who should be working together to ensure the success of all our industries.
Q. What advantages, or disadvantages, do you think biofuels present for Minnesotans? If you have identified advnantages, how would you leverage them to achieve more benefits for the environment and consumers over the next two to four years? If you identified disadvantages associated with biofuels, what, if any, actions would you take to address those disadvantages?
A. Biofuels are a great value-added product for our agriculture industry, as well as a means to diversify our energy supply. I strongly believe that the best role for the government is not to exercise command and control over the market and the stakeholders, but to facilitate cooperation. Any other path leads to longer-term conflict and leaves industries subject to the political winds.
Q. What actions would you take, for the medium term, to make E15 the new regular fuel?
A. Minnesota has set the use of E15 as a goal, and the law as it stands prudently provides for testing off-ramps should problems need to be addressed. I strongly believe that the biofuel industry has a great opportunity to continue working with all the stakeholders to ensure the success of consumers, the biofuel industry, and every other industry in Minnesota. Let’s make sure we all come out winners.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your position on biofuels in Minnesota?
A. I believe biofuels are going to play an increasing role in our economy, and want to see them succeed.
Note : Due to scheduling conflicts in light of the busy campaign season, we were unable to get our questions to Gov. Mark Dayton on time. However, here are some examples (link 1, link 2 and link 3) of how Dayton has responded to biofuel issues.