Ted Cruz Won In Iowa Even Though He Opposed Ethanol Subsidies

IOWA ETHANOL SUBSIDIESPRESENTATION CENTER

February 3, 2016 | Ben Booker

Source: Ben Potter, “Every Presidential Candidate’s Position on Ethanol,” Agweb, January 29, 2016; EPA, “Renewable Fuel Standard Program,” February 3, 2016; Ted Cruz, “Cruz: I’m Fighting For Farmers,” Des Moines Register, January 6, 2016; Timothy Carney, “Corrected: Cruz Still Favors Slashing Ethanol For the Next Five Years,”,Washington Examiner, January 7, 2016.

Background on Senator Ted Cruz’s Ethanol Position

Ted Cruz’s Actions and Positions• On principle, he is opposed to energy

subsidies• He co-sponsored the “Renewable Energy

Fuel Standard Repeal Act” • In 2014, he sponsored Senate bill 2170

“American Renaissance Act”• He slightly moderated his stance

agreeing to continue Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) through 2022

• However, the bill would have phased down the ethanol fuel subsidy over time

• During Iowa Campaign, Cruz stated his support for ethanol as a fuel source

• Reiterated his position to support gradual phasing out of ethanol subsidies over time

• Wanted to eliminate EPA’s blend wall to boost ethanol’s market access

Renewable Fuel Standard•The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was created in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) and further amended in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA)•RFS sets the total required amount of renewable fuel, including ethanol, that needs to replace or reduce the petroleum-based fuels for transportation and heating•RFS have increasing quotas for renewables through 2022

All of the Other GOP Presidential Candidates are Supportive of Ethanol Subsidies

IOWA ETHANOL SUBSIDIESPRESENTATION CENTER

February 3, 2016 | Ben Booker

Source: Ben Potter, “Every Presidential Candidate’s Position on Ethanol,” Agweb, January 29, 2016; EPA, “Renewable Fuel Standard Program,” February 3, 2016; Ted Cruz, “Cruz: I’m Fighting For Farmers,” Des Moines Register, January 6, 2016; Timothy Carney, “Corrected: Cruz Still Favors Slashing Ethanol For the Next Five Years,” Washington Examiner, January 7, 2016.

Republican Presidential Candidates’ Stances on Ethanol SubsidiesCandidate Ethanol StanceJeb Bush Originally opposed the EISA and ethanol subsidies. However, he is now

supportive of ethanol subsidiesBen Carson Supports the RFS through the 2022 expiration

Chris Christie

Strongly supports the RFS

Carly Fiorina Supports the RFS through the 2022 expiration

John Kasich Originally opposed tax subsidies for ethanol, but favors the RFS’s quota system

Marco Rubio Has opposed tax credits for ethanol, but he would not change the RFS system as it stands

Rick Santorum

Supported the ethanol quota system when he ran in 2012 and supports it now

Donald Trump

Supports an even higher ethanol mandate

All of the Democratic Presidential Candidates are Supportive of Ethanol Subsidies

IOWA ETHANOL SUBSIDIESPRESENTATION CENTER

February 3, 2016 | Ben Booker

Source: Ben Potter, “Every Presidential Candidate’s Position on Ethanol,” Agweb, January 29, 2016; EPA, “Renewable Fuel Standard Program,” February 3, 2016; Ted Cruz, “Cruz: I’m Fighting For Farmers,” Des Moines Register, January 6, 2016; Timothy Carney, “Corrected: Cruz Still Favors Slashing Ethanol For the Next Five Years,” Washington Examiner, January 7, 2016.

Democratic Presidential Candidates’ Stances Ethanol Subsidies Candidate Ethanol StanceHillary Clinton

Supports the RFS and has stated she wants to invest in rural clean energy development

Bernie Sanders

Strongly supports a RFS system to combat climate change