The two candidates running for state ag secretary have opposing views on Iowa’s ethanol industry.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, a Republican who’s running for a third term, says ethanol has been “a very good thing” for the state of Iowa. “We’re spinning off important feeding ingredients for livestock producers, corn oil where you’re creating more value,” Naig said. “And by the way we know that this is a $5 billion contribution to our state’s economy, thousands of jobs (and) affecting corn prices for farmers.”
Chris Jones, the Democrat running for state ag secretary, is a retired research scientist who spent most of his career focused on water quality issues. “What has ethanol cost us, right? It’s entrenched this corn-soy system, it makes it difficult to diversify the system,” Jones said. “It’s directly responsible for a lot of this water pollution and, you know, I would suggest that it just has not been good for Iowans in general.”
Jones argues that as vehicles get more efficient, the demand for liquid fuels — including ethanol — will decline. Jones said if he’s elected, he’ll lead the conversation about what’s next for the Iowa land that’s planted with corn that winds up at an ethanol plant. “The ethanol industry has created about 7000 jobs,” Jones said. “How do you reconcile that with eight-or-nine million acres commited to this economic activity? It’s the worst jobs program in history if you look at the natural resources we have to commit to this.”
Naig argues renewable fuels like ethanol are part of the country’s future. “Fuel prices being what they are, doesn’t that just drive home the idea that more domestic energy production, more renewable energy production is a good thing for us in all forms ethanol, renewable diesel, biodiesel?…We can look for expanded markets around the world,” Naig said. “There’s more domestic usage to be had, so that’s what we should be focused on.”
The candidates made their comments today during taping of this week’s “Iowa Press” program that airs tomorrow on Iowa PBS.