GOP Presidential Hopefuls Call for Ending Energy Subsidies

[Geee]

Heartlander:

With less than six months remaining until the Iowa caucuses, presidential hopefuls are revealing their positions on one of the biggest energy issues in the state: the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

 

RFS requires refiners to blend certain amounts of renewables into fuel, and Iowa ethanol producers benefit from the mandate.

 

GOP candidates are split on the issue. At the Iowa Ag Summit in March, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced his opposition to RFS, telling voters the government shouldn’t be “picking winners and losers” through its energy policy.

 

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina has also come out against RFS, saying “government shouldn’t be in the business of subsidizing anything,” because it distorts markets. She notes the RFS, though not a subsidy, is just another, “example of government using its power to move markets in a particular way."