The 2016 presidential election is putting Iowa in the news a lot recently because a strong showing in the state's early primary can give a big boost to campaigns. The location also gives us a chance to learn the candidates' positions on the Renewable Fuel Standard and ethanol subsidies because the Hawkeye State is a major farming region, especially of corn. Republican hopeful Dr. Ben Carson recently made his feelings known as a definite supporter of the crop-based fuel.
"I don't particularly like the idea of government subsidies for anything because it interferes with the natural free market," Carson said to the Des Moines Register. "'Therefore, I would probably be in favor of taking that $4 billion a year we spend on oil subsidies and using that in new fueling stations' for 30-percent ethanol blends." Carson predicted that under his plan gasoline would be 50 cents to 80 cents less expensive per gallon.
Carson could face serious pushback outside of Iowa, if he's serious about offering a 30-percent ethanol blend. States like Hawaii and Oregon have been trying to pass laws to get rid of their 10-percent mix mandates, and Florida has already done so. The national debate over increasing the nationwide blend limit from E10, or 10 percent ethanol, to E15, is also already contentious. As Hotair notes, Dr. Carson's statement also seems contradictory. If he's against government subsidies, then moving $4 billion from one place to another doesn't really change anything.
Among the candidates in Iowa, Dr. Carson is hardly the only ethanol supporter, though. Hillary Clinton already signaled her support for the fuel and several Republican hopefuls did, as well.
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"I don't particularly like the idea of government subsidies for anything because it interferes with the natural free market," Carson said to the Des Moines Register. "'Therefore, I would probably be in favor of taking that $4 billion a year we spend on oil subsidies and using that in new fueling stations' for 30-percent ethanol blends." Carson predicted that under his plan gasoline would be 50 cents to 80 cents less expensive per gallon.
Carson could face serious pushback outside of Iowa, if he's serious about offering a 30-percent ethanol blend. States like Hawaii and Oregon have been trying to pass laws to get rid of their 10-percent mix mandates, and Florida has already done so. The national debate over increasing the nationwide blend limit from E10, or 10 percent ethanol, to E15, is also already contentious. As Hotair notes, Dr. Carson's statement also seems contradictory. If he's against government subsidies, then moving $4 billion from one place to another doesn't really change anything.
Among the candidates in Iowa, Dr. Carson is hardly the only ethanol supporter, though. Hillary Clinton already signaled her support for the fuel and several Republican hopefuls did, as well.
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