During a recent Roske on Politics show with host Brent Roske, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont (Dem) gave his support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Last month he was in Des Moines, IA for the Iowa State Fair and spoke on the Soapbox but did not mention biofuels or the RFS. However, this visit he was asked directly about the issues facing the RFS in Washington. Now that he has a pro-RFS stand on the record, America’s Renewable Future (ARF) thanked Sen. Sanders for his support who leading the polls in Iowa – one point ahead of Hillary Clinton.
Roske asked, “We’re in Iowa right now. Back in 2007 you voted for the Renewable Fuel Standard in the Senate. What are your thoughts about it now?”
Sen. Sanders answered: “I think as somebody who believes climate change is the greatest global crisis that we face, I think it’s absolutely imperative that we move away from fossil fuel, from oil, from coal, move to energy efficiency and move to sustainable energies. And Iowa, by the way, in general is doing a very good job, as is my home state of Vermont,” said Sanders, “Iowa is one of the leaders in the country in wind and biofuels. So, I support the Renewable Fuel Standard, I think we got to put more emphasis on cellulosic ethanol, which a more efficient form of biofuel than we currently have.”
“Advanced biofuels like cellulosic ethanol have been a runaway success in Iowa, thanks to a strong RFS that created a partnership between first and second generation renewable fuel,” said former Lt. Gov. and ARF Co-Chair, Patty Judge. “We thank Sen. Sanders for his appreciation of the crucial part biofuels play in the creation of a sustainable energy future. We hope he’ll take us up on our invitation to tour a plant, and learn about how ethanol and other low carbon, first generation fuels are paving the way for advanced biofuels like cellulosic ethanol.”
“Biofuels support over 73,000 jobs in Iowa, reduce pollution and emissions, give consumers a choice at the pump, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” added Judge. “The RFS is a critical policy for Iowans and certainly an issue that will help them decide who to support in the caucus.”