Republicans Carson, Pataki on the Soapbox

Joanna Schroeder

Republican presidential hopefuls Dr. Ben Carson and former New York Governor George Pataki took the Des Moines Register Soapbox during the Iowa State Fair this weekend with a common message of reducing America’s debt. Dr. Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, focused much of his remarks on personal stories yet engaged the crowd with lessons learned. For example, he said, “The person …

Audio, biofuels, Clean Energy, Ethanol, Iowa State Fair, politics

Jeb Bush Kicks off Fair Speech on Energy

Joanna Schroeder

Republican Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida and presidential hopeful, kicked off his time on the Presidential Soapbox promoting his support of renewable energy and agriculture. Florida has a huge agriculture community and is home to one of the first advanced cellulosic facilities, Ineos Bio located in Vera Beach, that began production in May of 2013. The plant uses wood, …

Agribusiness, Audio, Clean Energy, Clean Power Plan, Iowa RFA, politics

Mike Huckabee on the Soapbox

Joanna Schroeder

Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas (the state of the Clinton’s), took the soapbox this morning as the kick-off candidate of the Des Moines Register’s Presidential Soapbox series taking place during the Iowa State Fair. He was the winner of Iowa’s 2008 Republican Caucuses. Now back to the Clintons for a moment. Huckabee worked and fought and campaigned …

Agribusiness, Audio, biofuels, Iowa State Fair, politics, RFS

‘George Washington’ Warms up Iowa State Fairgoers

Joanna Schroeder

President George Washington took the the Presidential Soapbox this morning on the first day of the Iowa State Fair where he stressed that America ‘must put behind us matters that divide us and brace matters that bind us together’. Portrayed by Ron Carnegie, his rousing speech kicked off the Des Moines Register’s Presidential Soapbox series. All presidential candidates but Hillary …

Iowa State Fair, politics

Iowa State Fair to Host Prez Soapbox

Joanna Schroeder

Iowa State Fair visitors have an opportunity to see what presidential candidates think about energy and agricultural issues compliments of the Des Moines Register’s Presidential Soapbox series. A majority of the presidential candidates from both parties have confirmed they will speak from the soapbox during the fair. A total of 14 Republicans and four Democrats are on the soapbox schedule …

Agribusiness, biofuels, Government, politics

Iowa RFA Polls Show Importance of RFS

John Davis

New polls from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) show support for the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and those presidential candidates friendly toward the RFS. This news release from the group says the RFS and renewable fuels will be key issues for Iowans in the 2016 general election. The poll, conducted by The Tarrance Group, shows “Iowa voters have …

biofuels, Iowa RFA, politics

Clinton Campaign Announcement Highlights Biofuels

John Davis

Hillary Clinton seems to understand the importance in courting the biofuels vote, especially in Iowa, as she officially kicked off her presidential campaign. America’s Renewable Future (ARF) noted her support for advanced biofuels as part of making America a clean energy superpower. “…We will make America the clean energy superpower of the 21st century [by] developing renewable power—wind, solar, advanced …

biofuels, politics

Ethanol Industry Thoughts on Presidential Candidates

Cindy Zimmerman

Several new presidential hopefuls in both parties have officially declared their candidacies recently and more are planning to announce soon. During a press briefing at the 2015 Fuel Ethanol Workshop, Bob Dinneen with the Renewable Fuels Association and Brooke Coleman with the Advanced Ethanol Council were asked how they think the candidates, declared and undeclared, rate when it comes to …

AEC, Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, FEW, politics

Candidate Clinton Clean Energy Commentary

Cindy Zimmerman

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton came out in favor of domestic, renewable energy in an op-ed for the Cedar Rapids Gazette this week. “I believe the United States can and must be the clean energy super power for the 21st century,” writes Mrs. Clinton. “We can’t afford to cede our leadership in developing and deploying the advanced, clean fuels of the …

biofuels, politics, Renewable Energy

Wind Industry Presses Washington for Action

Joanna Schroeder

Republican and Democrat governors are pressing U.S. Senate and House leadership in an effort spur action on tax incentives used to grow the country’s wind energy industry. Washington Democrat Gov. Jay Inslee and Iowa Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively of the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition, co-signed a letter insisting federal policymakers “support timely extensions” of the …

Clean Energy, Electricity, politics, Wind