To conclude our series, we head over to the governor’s race, where incumbent Tim Walz is being challenged by Scott Jensen. Here are their responses to our queries.
Tim Walz
Q. Do you support Minnesota’s Petroleum Replacement Law (Minn. Stat. 239.7911), which calls for the consumption of at least 30 percent biofuels in transportation fuel by 2025?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you support a role for ethanol in clean fuel standard legislation?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you support accelerating the permitting process for installation of equipment to improve ethanol production and reduce emissions?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you support making higher ethanol blends, such as E15, available across Minnesota by funding compatible infrastructure at retail stations? If yes, would you prefer the funding source to come from the General Fund or a fee placed on each gallon of liquid fuel sold in Minnesota similar to the Petrofund program?
A. Yes – I am open to a wide range of funding mechanisms, including the General Fund or a fee similar to the Petrofund, because biofuels are an essential part of the decarbonization of the transportation sector – infrastructure upgrades are key to getting higher blends out into the marketplace.
Q. Do you support amending the Reid Vapor Pressure limitation established under the Clean Air Act to allow year-round sales of E15 by extending the 1-PSI waiver for E10 to E15 as well?
A. Yes.
Scott Jensen
Q. Do you support Minnesota’s Petroleum Replacement Law (Minn. Stat. 239.7911), which calls for the consumption of at least 30 percent biofuels in transportation fuel by 2025?
A. I would like to see a higher consumption for affordability, which will cut down on the need for foreign/imported oil and to benefit our farmers. I want to make sure that this is feasible and achievable before making an absolute commitment to any type of mandate that might be able to come to fruition. The worst thing in politics is candidates who over-promise and under-deliver. I will do my best to be a promoter and supporter of biofuels for a variety of reasons. I would take reasonable steps to comply with the goals.
Q. Do you support a role for ethanol in clean fuel standard legislation?
A. Yes, I see a major role for ethanol. I would note that my opponent calling for mandated electric vehicles will undermine the ethanol industry and that I will commit to pulling back these mandates that are unreasonable, expensive and will make Minnesota a regulatory island in the sand, modeled after California.
Q. Do you support accelerating the permitting process for installation of equipment to improve ethanol production and reduce emissions?
A. Yes, this is a key part of my Agriculture & Rural Prosperity Plan. You can find the specifics at www.drscottjensen.com/rural Regulations and other governmental barriers have slowed down the progress of the ethanol industry. My running mate, Mat Birk heard this first hand when he toured Granite Falls Energy in July.
Q. Do you support making higher ethanol blends, such as E15, available across Minnesota by funding compatible infrastructure at retail stations? If yes, would you prefer the funding source to come from the General Fund or a fee placed on each gallon of liquid fuel sold in Minnesota similar to the Petrofund program?
A. I would prefer to support this initiative with federal funds that are provided to help with such infrastructure projects. If there are matching requirements, I would prefer the general fund and opposed any type of tax or fee increase on consumers.
Q. Do you support amending the Reid Vapor Pressure limitation established under the Clean Air Act to allow year-round sales of E15 by extending the 1-PSI waiver for E10 to E15 as well?
A. Yes, I am supportive of allowing year-round sales of E15 and giving consumers the ability to purchase as their choice in our state.
Archives:
Carolyn Treadway (District 19A)
Patrick Baustian (District 21A)
Ryan Wiskerchen (District 51A)
Steve Cwodzinski (District 49)