FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               

Press Contact:   Monte Shaw

October 28, 2011                                                                                                                   

515-252-6249

IRFA President Walt Wendland Statement on Gov. Rick Perry’s Television Ad Airing in Iowa

Background:  Presidential candidate and Texas Governor Rick Perry recently began airing a television ad in major Iowa media markets. 

IRFA President Walt Wendland issued the following statement:

“While Iowans are renowned for our patience and open-mindedness, both are being put to the test by Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s recent campaign actions.

“First, his energy plan is a one-two punch in Iowa’s economic gut.  It clearly indicates that the Texas Governor would eliminate the federal renewable fuels standard while leaving in place the federal petroleum mandate.  It also would force renewable fuels tax credits to expire while allowing petroleum tax subsidies to continue indefinitely.  The Perry energy plan picks a winner and a loser – and foreign oil is the winner.

“And unlike every other major candidate for the Republican nomination, Gov. Perry has refused to oppose the effort by Texas Congressmen to actually ban E15, a legal ethanol blend, from the marketplace in favor of more oil.

“Now, Gov. Perry’s first TV ad in Iowa touts his plan to create jobs by promoting oil and natural gas.  Well, there just aren’t a lot of oil and natural gas jobs in Iowa.  But Iowa’s renewable fuels industry supports nearly 49,000 jobs in the state.  Those Iowa jobs would be put at risk under the Perry energy plan.

“When Gov. Perry entered the Presidential race, Iowa’s renewable fuels community said it would keep an open mind and not hold past actions by the Governor in his state role against him.  But we also noted it would be important going forward to determine if Perry is running for President of the United States or President of Texas.  Unfortunately, that answer seems to be leaning heavily toward Texas.

“Iowa’s renewable fuels community would still welcome a balanced energy plan from Governor Perry, but our patience and open-mindedness can’t last forever.”

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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For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at:  www.IowaRFA.org