Iowa biodiesel producers and soybean farmers hosted Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst at the REG Newton biodiesel plant last week.

Industry representatives also had a private meeting with Ernst where Iowa Biodiesel Board executive director Grant Kimberley said they discussed the pending federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) decision from EPA. “Our industry needs smart, consistent federal energy policy,” Kimberley said. “The economic and energy security benefits biodiesel provides are remarkable, making the RFS one of the finest policies we have.”

In remarks at the plant, Ernst said she favors renewable fuels because of her agricultural background and her service in Iraq as member of the Iowa National Guard. “Anything that we can do to make our nation more energy secure, more energy independent I certainly am going to support those efforts,” Ernst said.

Calling Iowa the “renewable fuels capital of the United States” Branstad said the entire industry is important to the economy, farm income, quality jobs, and reducing dependency on foreign oil. “So that’s why I’m so passionate and why I’ve fought so hard for the renewable fuel standard,” he said.

Under EPA’s current proposal, volume obligations for both biodiesel and ethanol would decline. A final decision on the proposal has yet to be announced.