Resolutions pass following Gov. Branstad's call for swift, bipartisan action in support of renewable fuels

(DES MOINES) -  Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today released statements applauding the Iowa Legislature for passing resolutions in support of a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  The Legislature's action comes two days after Gov. Branstad called for swift, bipartisan action in support of the RFS in his Condition of the State Address.

"I am pleased the Iowa Legislature has joined Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and me, and the entire Iowa Congressional Delegation, in support of a robust Renewable Fuels Standard," said Branstad. "I'm encouraged that the Legislature agrees that  this rule proposed by the EPA would be devastating to the agriculture and renewable fuel sector of the economy. Together, we'll keep fighting to protect the RFS."

Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and the entire Iowa Congressional Delegation are hosting a hearing, "Hearing in the Heartland: Supporting the Renewable Fuels Standard," on the proposed EPA rule Thursday, January 23, 2014. More information on the hearing can be found on by visiting the governor's website.

"Iowans understand how important a strong Renewable Fuels Standard is to our state's economy," said Reynolds. "I applaud the Iowa Legislature for moving quickly and decisively in support of the RFS. It's clear Iowans are in favor of lower-cost choices at the pump, diversifying our nation's energy portfolio, reducing harmful transportation emissions, supporting the growth of the economy, and reducing our dependence on overseas oil."

Gov. Branstad called on the Legislature to act during his Condition of the State Address Tuesday, January 14, 2014:

My friends, Iowa faces another challenge where we can come together again and rally around what is best for our state.  The EPA has proposed reducing the level of biofuels outlined in the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

If this rule is adopted, it would be a devastating setback to the agriculture sector of the Iowa economy.

The proposed rule comes at a time when our state continues to implement new pioneering policies encouraging growth and innovation in the renewable energy sector.

In a partnership with Iowa State University, we launched the "Fueling Our Future" program last October, which will bring Iowa to the forefront in the use of E30 fuel.

This new program is a reflection of the importance of further advancing the renewable fuels industry, and how the RFS is helping to create important Iowa jobs.

The RFS has led to a cleaner environment, opened the markets for Iowa corn and soybeans and reduced our nation's dependence on foreign oil.  Thousands of Americans are coming together to support the RFS.

We will be holding a public hearing later this month to give Iowans the opportunity to voice their concerns with the EPA's proposal. Lt. Governor Reynolds and I are pleased the entire Iowa Congressional Delegation and Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey have agreed to co-host this important forum.

Today, I call on the General Assembly, as its first order of business, in bipartisan fashion, to pass a resolution in support of maintaining a robust Renewable Fuels Standard.

Read the full speech

The resolutions from the Iowa House and Iowa Senate can be found here:

Iowa House Resolution 101

Iowa Senate Resolution 101

Council Bluffs, IA - The largest progressive group of veterans in America, with over 360,000 supporters, VoteVets.org, is today continuing its campaign of powerful new television ads in Iowa and Nebraska, aimed at protecting the bipartisan Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  The ad buy is nearly $115,000 for one week of time in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, and Omaha Nebraska, as well as in Washington, D.C., where it will be seen by decision makers on the issue.  Previously, the group ran a $110,000 television ad buy in Des Moines and Washington, DC on the issue.

Today's ads both feature an Iraq War Veteran, Michael Connolly, making the case that gutting the Renewable Fuel Standard would allow for a greater flow of oil dollars to our enemies, who use that money for weaponry that has targeted our troops.  Connolly, who served in Iraq from 2007 to 2008, lived in Glenwood, Iowa from 2010 to 2012, and now lives just across the border, in Nebraska.

NEW AD IN IOWA

The ad in Cedar Rapids and Council Bluffs begins with a massive explosion in front of a military convoy.  Connolly says, "I did two tours in the Middle-East...and let me tell you, I saw a heck of a lot, like how billions in oil profits found their way to some of the same terrorists we were fighting against. Investing in renewable energy like the kind here in Iowa can help stop that.  It means more American jobs and less oil money going to enemies who threaten our national security. Tell the EPA to stand up to Big Oil...don't cut the Renewable Fuel Standard."

The full script of the ad is below.  The ad can be viewed here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVWgaewyu7U .

NEW AD IN NEBRASKA

The ad in Omaha opens with a massive explosion in front of a military convoy. Connolly says, "War is dangerous. I know. I was there.  Now, people ask me all the time how they can support the troops." Holding a yellow ribbon, Connolly says, "By putting one of these on your car?  Sure..." And then in front of an ethanol gas pump, "By putting this in your tank?  Even better... More renewable fuels, like the kind grown here in Nebraska, means we use less foreign oil. And that means less money for our enemies.  But the oil companies are trying to kill renewable fuels."

The full script is below.  The ad can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vskA8OCaMiI .

The facts back up Connolly's words.  Although the United States often does not directly buy oil from hostile nations, like Iran, America's dependence on oil drives up demand, and prices of oil on the world market, which benefits all oil-rich nations.  Those oil dollars allowed Iran, for instance, to produce and ship Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs) to Iraqi insurgents, who used them to target our troops.¹

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates for every one billion gallons of ethanol produced, 10,000 to 20,000 jobs are added to our domestic economy.²

According to the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the ethanol Industry supports around 55,000 jobs in Iowa, and accounts for $5.4 billion of Iowa's GDP.³ Gutting the RFS would threaten the development of next generation biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol plants in Iowa scheduled to start operation next year.  Rather than using kernels of corn, these advanced plants will make the fuel from the "biomass" of various low-value plant material including corn stalks and wood chips.³

According to the Nebraska Corn Board, "a typical 100 million gallon ethanol plant adds on average 50 jobs in the community where it is located, purchases about 37 million bushels of corn from local farmers and produces about 320,000 tons of distillers grains (dried equivalent). It also generates nearly $4.5 million in tax revenue."⁴

VoteVets.org is one of the groups leading the way in calling for the EPA to protect the RFS, and is urging its members and supporters to, as well.  Along with a coalition of groups, VoteVets.org is collecting petition signatures from everyday Americans who want to see us reduce our dependence on foreign oil, protect our troops, and create jobs.

Founded in 2006,  and backed by over 360,000 supporters, the mission of VoteVets.org is to use public issue campaigns and direct outreach to lawmakers to ensure that troops abroad have what they need to complete their missions, and receive the care they deserve when they get home. VoteVets.org also recognizes veterans as a vital part of the fabric of our country and will work to protect veterans' interests in their day-to-day lives. VoteVets.org is committed to the destruction of terror networks around the world - with force when necessary - to protect America.  While non-partisan, the group is the largest progressive organization of veterans in America.

Sources:

¹ http://www.cbsnews.com/news/

² http://www.growthenergy.org/

³ http://www.iowacorn.org/en/

⁴ http://www.nebraskacorn.org/internally-linked-pages/ethanol/

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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, January 13, 2014 - Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), Iowa's largest grassroots farm organization, received several honors, including the Pinnacle Award, a top honor of national achievement at the American Farm Bureau Federation's (AFBF) 95th Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

State Farm Bureaus were presented awards at the kickoff of the AFBF meeting January 12 to recognize their excellence in membership achievement and implementation of outstanding programs serving Farm Bureau members in 2013.

The Pinnacle Award is the highest level award and is given to the most outstanding state in each membership group. To be eligible for the award, a state must have achieved membership quota for the year and have the most President's Awards in its membership group.  IFBF received four President's Awards, given to the most outstanding entry in each membership group for each program area.

The Awards for Excellence are awarded to state Farm Bureaus that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in six program areas: Education and Outreach; Leadership Development; Member Services; Membership Initiatives; Policy Development and Implementation; and Public Relations and Communications. IFBF received an Award of Excellence in all six categories.

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The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to helping farm families prosper and improve their quality of life.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve economic growth, educational improvement, and environmental quality in their communities.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

New Figures Show Illinois Now Top Soybean-Producing State in the Nation

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today saluted Illinois' grain farmers on an outstanding 2013, including a nation-leading soybean crop. Final 2013 crop production figures released by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) show Illinois harvested 462 million bushels of soybeans last fall, 51 million more than any other state in the country.

"After the drought of 2012, these figures are welcome news and demonstrate the resilience of Illinois agriculture," Governor Quinn said. "They're also a perfect culmination to the 50th anniversary celebration of the Illinois Soybean Association, a model organization that uses member contributions to invest in programs that increase yields and profitability."

The Illinois corn crop was a bin-buster as well. Production totaled 2.10 billion bushels, making it the third-largest corn crop in state history, exceeded only by the 2.28 billion bushel harvest in 2007 and the 2.13 billion bushel harvest in 2008.

"Vastly improved weather certainly contributed to these results, but good management practices played a role too," Agriculture Director Bob Flider said. "Illinois wouldn't be a leading supplier of grain if organizations like the Soybean Association were not investing in research and market development to increase production."

Corn production, which ranks second in the United States, was up 63 percent compared to 2012. Soybean production increased 20 percent and was the state's sixth-highest total on record.

According to NASS, Illinois farmers harvested 11.8 million acres of corn and 9.4 million acres of soybeans. The corn crop yielded 178 bushels an acre, while the soybean crop yielded 49.