In what was more of a rally than a hearing, dignitaries representing groups from Washington
D.C. to Mainstreet joined Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to send a message to the Environmental
Protection Agency.
Gov. Terry Branstad, R-Iowa: "Big oil is delighted that the EPA has recommended that the EPA
has weakened the Renewable Fuels Standard.
But they're not satisfied, they want to repeal it altogether.
We're not asking them to change policy, we're asking to stick with what's worked."
Nearly 100 people filled the room to hear about proposed cuts to the Renewable Fuel
Standard, or RFS.
At issue is whether the EPA will reduce the RFS by 3 billion gallons this year, reducing
the annual output to 15 billion gallons.
Nearly half of the cuts would be made in ethanol blending requirements.
Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann, R-Indiana: "This proposal is back-tracking on the accomplishments
made in the past 10 years."
Representatives from Iowa`s Washington delegation who spoke at what was billed as "The Hearing
in the Heartland" unanimously called on the EPA to leave the RFS alone.
Rep Steve King, R-Iowa: "And when you have an administration that can't make a decision
on a Keystone XL pipeline but can make a decision on this, to back an industry up and freeze
it in place, and, what, weaken it so the petroleum industry can buy it out at a few cents on
the dollar, they'll be support for it then, if they own it."
Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa: "If you spent more time in rural Iowa, the President might realize
that if you take too many steps backward in an Iowa pasture, without knowing why or where
you're going, you may just step in something."
And Republican Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa, characterized the proposed rule change
as short-sighted.
Senator Charles Grassley, R- Iowa: "This investment has improved the environment, it's improved
the economic well-being of Iowans, it's improved our balance of trade, and our national security."
Most of those who took the podium expressed concern over the potential loss of jobs, the
ripple effect on local economies and the potential for reduced investment in advanced biofuels.
Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture: "Who in the world is gonna invest $200 million
into a cellulosic ethanol plant that's gonna produce 30 million gallons of ethanol.
As innovative and creative and as much opportunity as there is, if you sense the political dynamics
can completely shift under your feet in a matter of a decision or two."
Ethanol plant managers and owners also spoke about investment in the future of the U.S.
Fuel industry.
Jeff Briggs, Green Plains Energy: "I would ask, 'how does a county like Brazil, where
they drive the same Fords, Chevys and Toyotas that we do blend 25 percent ethanol in their
motor fuel, and have for over a decade, while the U.S. cannot get past 10 percent?'
The answer is Big Oil's death grip on the U.S. consumer."
Politicians and ethanol plant managers were joined by representatives of the corn and
biofuels industries who spoke to the crowd.
Monte Shaw, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association: "I call upon President Obama today to pick
up that phone and to do the right thing for Iowa and America, to do what he promised us
he would do when he was here in Iowa and that is to not mess with the RFS."
Kelly Manning, Growth Energy: "The RFS was not designed to help oil companies.
We ask the EPA to move on the RFS forward not backward."
Nearly all those making statements were ethanol supporters but there were a few who voiced
their support for the proposed cuts.
Francis Thicke, Iowa farmer: "I don`t think the sky is not falling what we are looking
for is a little more balance here."
Most of the rhetoric focused on political and economic downsides of changes to the RFS.
However, one speaker focused on the human cost of energy security.
Dr. Tim Gibbons, Mason City, Iowa: "The Iraqi War is over now.
Ten years later, we have paid a heavy toll to stabilize the free flow of oil.
Over that same time period I am unaware of a single casualty caused by the production
of ethanol.
I am unaware of a single service man who committed suicide after deployment due to renewable
fuels.
I am unaware of a prosthetic limb or a wheelchair being fitted for renewable fuels."
The comment period on proposed changes to the RFS ends Tuesday.