Whatever differences they may have with him aside, libertarians and free-market conservatives should be pleased with President Donald J. Trump’s support for reforming or repealing federal dictates that help foreign businesses and harm US workers. An example of this is the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
University of Michigan’s Energy Institute research professor John DeCicco, Ph.D., believes that rising carbon dioxide emissions cause global warming and, therefore, humans must find a way to reduce its levels in the atmosphere. But ethanol is the wrong solution. According
America’s rush to renewables has invited corruption and fraud.
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)—also known as the ethanol mandate—was passed by Congress in 2005 and expanded in 2007. Regardless of market conditions, it required ever-increasing quantities of biofuel be blended into the nation’s gasoline supply—though the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does have the flexibility to make some adjustments based on conditions, such as availability and infrastructure. At the time of its passage, it was unfathomable that a decade later Americans would be consuming less gasoline, not more.
On Tuesday, January 19, at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, Iowa’s long-time Governor Terry Branstad jumped into the campaign fray by attempting to influence the outcome of the February 1 caucus: “I don’t think that Ted Cruz is the right one for Iowans to support in the caucus.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was roundly applauded by both the crowd and the media for rejecting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), an ethanol subsidy that contributes significantly to Iowa’s farming economy.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) attended the Iowa Ag Summit over the weekend, along with several other prospective 2016 Republican presidential candidates, and was alone among attendees in his outright rejection of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the ethanol subsidies that have a significant impact on Iowa’s agricultural economy. Despite the risk of opposing the RFS at an event sponsored by the agriculture industry in a critical early primary state, Cruz was unequivocal in voicing his opposition to the RFS and the crowd applauded his comments.
