Last month, Governor Reynolds proposed an increase in the availability of biofuels at pumps across Iowa. Last week, we heard from the Fuel Choice Coalition in the state of Iowa, they aired some concerns about the legislation that they had. Now, a few biofuels groups in the state are taking the time to address those concerns.
Monte Shaw is the Executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. He explains a few details about the Governor?s plan for biofuels standards in the state.
Concerns were raised about what it will take to upgrade the infrastructure to make retailers compatible with the Governor?s proposal. Shaw says that there are large portions of the infrastructure that do need updating, but this is nothing new. Shaw also talks about the infrastructure issues and the options the Governor has in implementing the standards.
When it comes to concerns raised about the costs of implementing upgrades to fuel infrastructure, Shaw points out that the bill guarantees monies are going to be available for infrastructure grants on a yearly basis.
Iowa is considered the biofuels capital of the U.S. Shaw says that while we produce a lot of it, Iowans are limited in their options to be able to buy higher blends like E15. He says while the coalition talks about wanting to ensure choice is available, only about 10% of Iowa stations carry E15.
Iowa Soybean Association Treasurer Dave Walton of Wilton, Iowa talks about the benefits to jobs where biofuels are blended. These are crucial to the rural Iowa economy.
Walton also wants to remind Iowans what these biofuels products are doing to add value to crops grown in the state. He speaks to the value added to soybean producers by biodiesel.
Lastly, opponents of the legislation have repeatedly called the measure a ?fuel mandate.? Walton says that term is incorrect. While a standard allows for an increase in the availability of biofuel blends for customers, it does not eliminate the availability of unblended fuels for those who want to choose them. A mandate would take away consumer choices at the pump.
