DES MOINES – Governor Terry Branstad wants Ted Cruz beaten in Iowa.
At a press conference Tuesday connected to Iowa renewable fuels – a huge part of the Iowa economy – Branstad said if Texas Senator Ted Cruz wins the presidential election, his presidency would be “very damaging” to Iowa. Cruz wants to eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard, which props up the ethanol industry in the state and keeps farmers in business. There are ethanol plants all over the state, processes that fuel that uses Iowa agricultural products.
Today, Branstad told an audience that “Ted Cruz is ahead right now. What we’re trying to do is educate the people in the state of Iowa. He is the biggest opponent of renewable fuels. He actually introduced a bill in 2013 to immediately eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard. He is heavily financed by big oil. So we think once Iowans realize that fact, they might find other things attractive but he could be very damaging to our state.”
Just today, Iowa lawmakers urged the EPA to set strong renewable fuels levels.
In a letter, they urged the EPA to use this year as an opportunity to commit to getting the Renewable Fuel Standard back on track, and pointed to Iowa’s role as the premier renewable fuels producer in the nation. The letter also highlighted the critical need for the RFS, which works to provide consumers with fuel choices, increase energy independence, boost rural economies, and protect the environment.
“Our agricultural base in Iowa, serving as feedstock for ethanol and biodiesel production, has near record supplies of excess corn,” the members of Congress wrote. “In addition, low oil prices spurred surging fuel demand and large retailers of gasoline are embracing higher ethanol blends.”
According to Real Clear Politics, Donald Trump leads most polls, but by a narrow margin. Cruz has a lead in a couple of polls.