Senator Ted Cruz listens to Iowa farmers, supports Renewable Fuel Standard (Ethanol) through 2022

AmericasRenewableFuture ^

[springwater13]

SIOUX CENTER - During a bus tour stop in Sioux Center, Iowa last night, Senator Ted Cruz expressed support for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) through 2022.

Responding to a question from an ethanol investor from Iowa about whether he would allow the landmark energy program to continue through its current expiration in 2022, Sen. Cruz responded by expressing support for the RFS through 2022.

Senator Cruz also expressed passionate support for breaking through the so-called "blendwall." That "blendwall" makes it illegal for ethanol to expand its market penetration, and I intend to eliminate the EPA blendwall to get rid of that barrier, which will enable ethanol to expand in the marketplace to a much larger penetration to sell more ethanol…."

The comments were substantially repeated at another stop in Cherokee, Iowa the same evening. You can listen to audio of the remarks here. and below.

[dforest]

Those remarks were probably In Before The Flop!

[PJBankard]

They have to be weaned off it.

Are you serious? There is no weaning off. If you end the mandate today or let it end in 2022 makes no difference. There is no weaning, it just ends. The only weaning would be after the end of the mandate.

[Dr. Sivana]

This is a major flip-flop from Cruz.

No, this was the EXACT same position he took in the spring of 2015. He said then, a FIVE-YEAR phase out. He would take office in 2017. 2017 + 5 = 2022.

I don't like ethanol in my gasoline either, but with all the infrastructure in place for this garbage, we can't turn off the spigot overnight without ruining a lot of jobs and businesses that were playing by the rules in place.

Five years will be enough time to repurpose or phase out the refineries that were created for corn-to-fuel, etc.

[Jane Long]

Maybe you need to ask ARF state director Branstad why the NEW stance, for Ted....

ARF state director Eric Branstad said:

Farmers and rural communities across Iowa are going to be encouraged by Sen. Cruz’s remarks. He is clearly listening to the people of Iowa and understands the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard to America’s economy and energy independence, as he started the caucus process calling for immediate repeal. While not perfect, this is a big step forward by Sen. Cruz.

I guess Mr Branstad....the director of America's Renewable Future, is pushing incorrect information.

I guess all of the news agencies are 'getting it wrong', too...

Cruz changes position, embraces current ethanol mandate, ethanol lobby applauds

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/cruz-changes-position-embraces-current-ethanol-mandate-ethanol-lobby-applauds/article/2579743

Not to mention, he's been running on his outright rejection of the subsidies, for some time now...

Senator Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) attended the Iowa Ag Summit over the weekend and stood alone among attendees in his outright rejection of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the ethanol subsidies that have a significant impact on Iowa’s agricultural economy.

http://www.breitbart.com/texas/2015/03/09/cruz-applauded-for-rejecting-ethanol-subsidies-at-iowa-ag-summit/

[ChildOfThe60s]

Ethanol is damaging my car every single day I drive it. And I’ve already had one $300 repair due to ethanol.. so truthfully I don’t give a rats ass about the people who been making money off of destroying my car. And that does not include the increased fuel consumption due to ethanol.

[CA Conservative]

...as he started the caucus process calling for immediate repeal.

Close, but no cigar. Ted introduced legislation calling for the repeal of the RFS, but it called for a 5-year phase out. Even back in March of 2015, the following was written:

On Friday, March 12, the USA Today editorial argued in favor of ending the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandate. It also recognized Sen. Ted Cruz as the only participant willing to state his opposition to the mandate before an audience of farmers at the Iowa Ag Summit last week. Sen. Cruz has introduced legislation calling for a 5-year phase out and ultimate repeal of the law.

You really need to stop misrepresenting his positions, or do a better job of research.

[PJBankard]

That gif is creepy.

[stocksthatgoup]

Ted, kicking the can down the road.

[Norm Lenhart]

Funny that a lifetime of proven flip flopping did nothing to prevent all these ‘conservatives’ bitching up a storm from going to the polls and voting for a guy that profits from BBQing the dead and dismembered babies his own laws helped create.

But Ted Cruz is a bridge too far.

[CA Conservative]

His site does not say after 2022.

The legislation Cruz submitted over a year ago specifies a 5-year phase-out. If Cruz takes office in 2017, then 5 years would take it to 2022... Doh!

[Robert A Cook PE]

This report is substantially different from earlier positions.

[thackney]

Cruz knows that as President he doesn't have the authority to unilaterally do away with a law that Congress has passed and a President has signed. Cruz knows that the law extends to 22. He is saying he will let it expire and would veto any new law.

BTTT

[djstex]

I remember it. All was complaining. Now if Cruz is all the sudden saying the same. I see this as yet another example of Copy Cat Cruz, whatever works for Trump can work for him. Problem is, Trump said it first and got grief as he did and about the WALL. Now Cruz wants one too. The only thing Cruz hasn’t said yet, he’ll get Mexico to pay for it. Trump said this. ;)
GO TRUMP GO... All others just wannabe YOU!! ;)

[FourtySeven]

This seems consistent with both what Cruz has said in the past about the fuel standard and also with (what little I know of) the oil/gasoline market.

I would appreciate thackney’ input in this regard though, just as confirmation of what you said okie01.

Is it true? Have the corn subsidies already stopped and/or would ending the fuel mandate all of a sudden plunge the oil/gasoline market into chaos?

Thanks in advance,

[Jane Long]

You really need to stop misrepresenting his positions, or do a better job of research.

FYI....I posted a quote, from the article at OP link, from the Director of the ARF. Here it is, again, for you....

In response to Sen. Cruz's statements, ARF state director Eric Branstad said:

Farmers and rural communities across Iowa are going to be encouraged by Sen. Cruz's remarks. He is clearly listening to the people of Iowa and understands the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard to America's economy and energy independence, as he started the caucus process calling for immediate repeal. While not perfect, this is a big step forward by Sen. Cruz.

You can apologize for your rude comment.

[ErasmusJr.]

How long to “wean” the corn farmers off this handout?? Years?
We are talking about using food for fuel here. End the absurdity and use oil, coal and nuclear. Now.

[SoConPubbie]

Ted, kicking the can down the road.

Nope.

Senator Cruz honoring his word!

This has been his position all along, letting the current laws sunset. Which they will in 2022.

[thackney]

He claimed he was against them.

And he is, and has always been against them.

What he did not say before or now, is that he would be King and not president and he could magically change existing laws.

[ErasmusJr.]

How long to “wean” the corn farmers off this handout?? Years?
We are talking about using food for fuel here. End the absurdity and use oil, coal and nuclear. Now.

[TexasCajun]

There are no longer any ethanol subsidies. Those ended last year and they were not renewed.

I was thinking they were still in place.

Thanks

...ethanol can't compete with 30-40, even 50 dollar oil.

So how will the RFS through 2022 be achieved?