Media Contact: Monte Shaw

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     

June 6, 2011                                                                                                               

IRFA President Walt Wendland Statement on Former Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman’s Ethanol Remarks

Background:  Over the weekend several news sources reported that Jon Huntsman, former ambassador to China and potential presidential candidate, stated that he would not compete in the Iowa Caucuses because, “I don’t believe in subsidies that prop up corn, soybeans and ethanol…I guess I understand how the politics work there.”

IRFA President Walt Wendland issued the following statement:

“Ambassador Huntsman has only been back in the U.S for five weeks after serving our country for two years halfway around the world in China.  A lot has changed during those two years, and his perception of Iowa and current ethanol and energy policy is woefully out of date.  Therefore, we want to invite Ambassador Huntsman to Iowa so he can learn how politics and policy actually work here.

“What Ambassador Huntsman will find is that Iowans want a sensible and fair energy policy.  We’re willing to discuss ethanol programs if petroleum programs are also part of the debate.  Iowans want consumers to be able to make real fueling choices.  Any candidate who supports a level playing field with true market access can do just fine in Iowa.  I hope Ambassador Huntsman rethinks his decision to skip Iowa.  Iowa has been listed as one of the eight swing states that will determine the next president.  Any candidate who skips Iowa now is not likely to do well in Iowa later.”

Notes:  Former President George W. Bush won the 2000 Iowa Caucuses and carried Iowa in the 2004 general election.  President Barack Obama won the 2008 Iowa Caucuses and carried Iowa in the 2008 general election.  Interestingly, neither won the New Hampshire primary.

Walt Wendland is the CEO of Golden Grain Energy near Mason City, Iowa and Homeland Energy Solutions near Lawler, Iowa.  He is currently serving his second term as President of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry. The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.

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