Opinion research shows RFS policy support is key Iowa voter issue

ANKENY, Iowa – New public opinion research shows a decisive 78 percent of voters in Iowa support expanding biofuel usage in the U.S. through the federal Renewable Fuel Standard. In addition, 77 percent of voters said it’s important to them that the president keep his promises on supporting the RFS. 

The Iowa Biodiesel Board commissioned the bi-annual survey on biodiesel awareness and biofuel-related political values. 

“The president may think he has Iowa cinched up for 2020, but my vote is 100 percent up for grabs,” said Dave Walton, a farmer from Wilton, Iowa. Walton serves as a director for both the Iowa Soybean Association and IBB. “Although I voted for him last time, President Trump needs to make a serious fourth quarter comeback on biodiesel and trade to earn my vote again.” 

Earlier this month, ISA sent a letter to President Trump urging him to put a stop to the “unacceptable” undermining of the RFS, courtesy of waivers to petroleum refiners, and exacerbated by failing to budge on volume increases.

“Farmers are getting hit hard with trade and market conditions, but meaningful support for growing biofuels in the RFS, and renewing the lapsed biodiesel tax credit, would be a huge step in the right direction,” said Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board. 

The majority of voters surveyed also said any presidential or congressional candidate’s position on the RFS is important to their vote. Kimberley said he hopes democratic presidential candidates will take note, too.  

“As a sustainable, commercially available advanced biofuel with economic and environmental benefits, biodiesel is a true success story for what America’s innovative farmers and business community can achieve in energy production,” Kimberley said. 

Six biodiesel plants have shut down nationwide in the last year due to weakened federal policy, Kimberley said. Iowa is the nation’s top biodiesel-producing state.

A professional public opinion research firm, Moore Information, conducted the online survey of 470 registered voters in Iowa in late July. 

Biodiesel is made from a variety of resources including soybean oil, recycled cooking oil and animal fats. The Iowa Biodiesel Board is a nonpartisan state trade association representing the biodiesel industry.  For more, visit www.iowabiodiesel.org.