GOP candidates support ethanol to win over Iowa farmers
ALTOONA, Iowa: Farmers Rally Behind Biofuels Industry Ahead of Caucuses
Kelly Nieuwenhuis, a third-generation family farmer in northwest Iowa, is passionately advocating for the growth of the biofuels industry in the state. As he prepares to caucus on Jan. 15, Nieuwenhuis considers it the most crucial topic on his agenda.
In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Nieuwenhuis expressed his unwavering support for the biofuels industry, calling it the most significant development in his farming career. He invested in it back in 1999 to create a market for his corn, and it has proven to be a lucrative venture.
Nieuwenhuis has been actively educating presidential candidates about the industry’s importance and has even given them tours of ethanol plants in Iowa. The state leads the nation in ethanol production, thanks to its vast cornfields.
After spending time with former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Nieuwenhuis has decided to caucus for her. He believes she truly understands the industry’s significance and is committed to supporting it.
However, Nieuwenhuis, who voted for former President Trump in 2016 and 2020, is disappointed with his administration’s handling of biofuels. The Environmental Protection Agency’s exemptions for oil refineries reduced the demand for corn-based ethanol, negatively impacting the industry.
Lance Lillibridge, another farmer from Benton County, shares Nieuwenhuis’ concerns. While he previously supported Trump, he no longer trusts the former president to prioritize the industry’s well-being.
Both farmers are now throwing their support behind different candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to biofuels. Nieuwenhuis is caucusing for Haley, while Lillibridge is backing Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida.
Support for Biofuels Grows Among Presidential Candidates
The organization Biofuels Vision 2024 has been tracking the candidates’ positions on biofuels-related issues. According to their findings, DeSantis and Haley have pledged their support for the industry’s growth in their energy plans. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has expressed some opposition to biofuel tax credits and has not fully committed to higher ethanol blends.
Trump, on the other hand, remains uncertain about his stance on biofuels, as indicated by the numerous question marks on the organization’s chart.
DeSantis and Haley recently appeared at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, where they reaffirmed their support for biofuels. DeSantis specifically advocated for year-round sales of E15 gas, which contains 15% ethanol.
However, DeSantis has faced criticism from both Trump and Haley for his past efforts to eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard while serving in Congress.
Lillibridge had the opportunity to question DeSantis about his previous record and was satisfied with the governor’s explanation. He believes DeSantis has evolved and now understands the importance of biofuels.
A recent poll of farmers conducted by Agri-Pulse revealed that 39% would vote for Trump, while 19% favored DeSantis and 13% supported Haley.
Eric Branstad, an advocate for Iowa’s renewable fuels industry, emphasized that Trump has prioritized renewable fuel during his visits to the state.
This election cycle differs significantly from 2016, when then-Gov. Branstad opposed Sen. Ted Cruz due to his stance on ethanol. This year, Gov. Kim Reynolds, who endorses DeSantis, introduced him as a “close friend” and the first candidate to fully support Biofuels Vision 2024.
According to Eric Branstad, the issue of biofuels has gained traction among all the candidates, and they have reached a consensus on its importance.
Why are farmers like Kelly Nieuwenhuis and Lance Lillibridge supporting candidates who prioritize the biofuels industry, and how do their concerns reflect the importance of this sector for Iowa’s agricultural community
The farmers’ rally behind the biofuels industry ahead of the caucuses in Altoona, Iowa, highlights the significant role this industry plays in the state and the concerns farmers have regarding its future. Kelly Nieuwenhuis, a third-generation family farmer, passionately advocates for the growth of the biofuels industry, considering it the most crucial topic on his agenda as he prepares to caucus on Jan. 15.
Nieuwenhuis’s support for the biofuels industry stems from his personal experience and investment in it. He believes it to be the most significant development in his farming career, as he invested in it back in 1999 to create a market for his corn. This venture has proven lucrative for him and has positively impacted his farming operations.
Actively involved in educating presidential candidates about the importance of the biofuels industry, Nieuwenhuis has given tours of ethanol plants in Iowa to raise awareness. As the state leads the nation in ethanol production, thanks to its vast cornfields, this industry has a significant impact on the local economy and the livelihoods of farmers.
While Nieuwenhuis previously voted for former President Trump in 2016 and 2020, he expresses disappointment with the handling of biofuels during his administration. Specifically, he criticizes the Environmental Protection Agency’s exemptions for oil refineries, which reduced the demand for corn-based ethanol and negatively affected the industry. Nieuwenhuis believes that this decision undermined the progress made in supporting renewable energy and economic growth through biofuels.
Similar concerns are shared by Lance Lillibridge, another farmer from Benton County. Lillibridge, who previously supported Trump, no longer trusts the former president to prioritize the well-being of the biofuels industry.
Both Nieuwenhuis and Lillibridge are now throwing their support behind different candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to biofuels. Nieuwenhuis is caucusing for former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, believing that she understands the industry’s significance and is committed to supporting it. On the other hand, Lillibridge is backing Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who has also shown support for the biofuels industry.
The decision of these farmers to rally behind candidates who prioritize the biofuels industry reflects the significance of this sector for Iowa’s agricultural community. As the caucuses approach, it will be interesting to see how candidates respond to the concerns of farmers and if they address the challenges facing the biofuels industry.
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