Candidates and Biofuels: Bud Nornes, Peggy Bennett & Brad Tabke

  • Tuesday, 02 October 2018 14:51

Nornes Bennett Tabke Web

 Today we spotlight Bud Nornes, Peggy Bennett and Brad Tabke who are competing in MN Districts 08A, 27A and 55A respectively. We aren't featuring their opponents as none of them responsed to our questionnaire. 

Bud NornesBud Nornes (R)

Q. The Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law calls for the consumption of at least 30 percent biofuels in transportation fuel by 2025, which would in turn reduce our dependence on imported oil and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Do you support the Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law?

A. Yes.

Q. At present, E15 cannot be sold in the summer months since Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) regulations have not kept pace with the addition of E15 into the fuel market. Although this is a federal regulation, there may be actions that can be taken at the state level. Will you support an initiative to fix this problem at the state level?

A. Yes.

Q. One of the challenges to making greater amounts of biofuels available to customers so as to fulfill the Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law is having the proper retail fuel storage and dispensing equipment. Will you support renewing funding to help fuel retailers upgrade their fuel storage and dispensing systems to offer customers E15 and higher ethanol blends?

A. Yes.

Q. Minnesota's ethanol producers are eager to install combined heat and power and expander generators to reduce their energy usage inputs and greenhouse gas emissions. To jump start the use of these systems (which would also boost economic activity in rural Minnesota), a modest tax incentive would be necessary. Would you support this tax incentive?

A. Yes.

peggybennett cropped Peggy Bennett (R)

Q. The Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law calls for the consumption of at least 30 percent biofuels in transportation fuel by 2025, which would in turn reduce our dependence on imported oil and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Do you support the Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law?

A. I am fully onboard for promoting domestic (not foreign) ethanol and biodiesel through the use of laws like the MN Petroleum Replacement Promotion Law. My ultimate biofuel goal as a legislator is to make sure that biofuels can compete fairly at the pump in the free market. Then we will not need laws and mandates like this one. Right now, however, the opportunity for biofuels to compete fairly at the pump - giving consumers the choices and options they deserve - is not there yet. Therefore, I see laws and standards like this one as necessary. I will support these laws and mandates until biofuels have full freedom to compete at the pump.

Q. At present, E15 cannot be sold in the summer months since Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) regulations have not kept pace with the addition of E15 into the fuel market. Although this is a federal regulation, there may be actions that can be taken at the state level. Will you support an initiative to fix this problem at the state level?

A. Yes. I am willing to do whatever we can at the state level to fix this problem.

Q. One of the challenges to making greater amounts of biofuels available to customers so as to fulfill the Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law is having the proper retail fuel storage and dispensing equipment. Will you support renewing funding to help fuel retailers upgrade their fuel storage and dispensing systems to offer customers E15 and higher ethanol blends?

A. Yes, absolutely! Let’s put in blender pumps and get proper equipment installed. Once we can get biofuels at every pump, these fuels can easily compete with gasoline. Biofuels have the right to be at the pump. I will support legislation toward that end, as that is the only way biofuels can truly compete in the free market. I supported and voted for legislation in 2015 that provided funding for infrastructure grants at fueling stations that would enable them to dispense biofuels. Programs such as these are a perfect way to help biofuels get a fair shake in the fuel market.

Q. Minnesota's ethanol producers are eager to install combined heat and power and expander generators to reduce their energy usage inputs and greenhouse gas emissions. To jump start the use of these systems (which would also boost economic activity in rural Minnesota), a modest tax incentive would be necessary. Would you support this tax incentive?

A. Yes. Anything to lower taxes sounds good to me!

bradtabkecropped Brad Tabke (D)

Q. The Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law calls for the consumption of at least 30 percent biofuels in transportation fuel by 2025, which would in turn reduce our dependence on imported oil and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Do you support the Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law?

A. Yes.

Q. At present, E15 cannot be sold in the summer months since Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) regulations have not kept pace with the addition of E15 into the fuel market. Although this is a federal regulation, there may be actions that can be taken at the state level. Will you support an initiative to fix this problem at the state level?

A. Yes.

Q. One of the challenges to making greater amounts of biofuels available to customers so as to fulfill the Minnesota Petroleum Replacement Promotion law is having the proper retail fuel storage and dispensing equipment. Will you support renewing funding to help fuel retailers upgrade their fuel storage and dispensing systems to offer customers E15 and higher ethanol blends?

A. Yes.

Q. Minnesota's ethanol producers are eager to install combined heat and power and expander generators to reduce their energy usage inputs and greenhouse gas emissions. To jump start the use of these systems (which would also boost economic activity in rural Minnesota), a modest tax incentive would be necessary. Would you support this tax incentive?

A. Yes.

Candidates and Biofuels Election 2018 Archives:

MN District 24A: John Petersburg Vs Joe Heegard

MN District 28B: Gregory Davids Vs Thomas Trehus

MN District 23A: Bob Gunther Vs Heather Klassen

MN District 22B: Rod Hamilton Vs Cheniqua Johnson

MN District 18B: Ashley Latzke Vs Glenn Gruenhagen

MN District 12B: Paul Anderson Vs Ben Schirmers