Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds opens the hearing on ethanol in Des Moines.
Governor Terry Branstad says the country is trying to create jobs, not get rid of them and that’s why the EPA needs to keep the amount of ethanol required in fuel where it is and not cut it.
Branstad spoke first today at what is billed “Hearing in the Heartland: Supporting the Renewable Fuel Standard.”
Branstad says governors and ag officials all across the midwest also support the effort.
“Today, we must stand together and let the policy makers in Washington, D.C. hear our collective voices. Today, we must firmly tell them that taking a step backward on the RFS is unacceptable,” the governor says. “We should be continually moving forward to grow the production and use of ethanol, biodiesel and cellulosic biofuels.Today, we must share the facts and address the misperceptions related to the RFS. We cannot afford to have misunderstandings or muddled policies when it comes to the RFS. As citizens, who have seen first-hand the positive impacts that the RFS has had in Rural America, we believe we have an obligation to help educate others.”
Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey and Congressman Steve King were among the other Iowans to speak on the first panel at the hearing today in Des Moines. Officials from Indiana, Nebraska, Missouri, North and South Dakota, are also scheduled to speak at the day-long hearing.