GoodFuels

Peterson Off the Train

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) made it very clear during a hearing Wednesday on Capitol Hill that he is unhappy with the inclusion of indirect land use change penalties against biofuels in the EPA’s proposed rulemaking for the Renewable Fuels Standard.

“I guess I have had it,” Peterson said during a hearing to review the impact of the indirect land use and renewable biomass provisions in the RFS. “You are going to kill off the biofuels industry before it ever gets started. You’re in bed with the oil companies. Why would you put indirect costs on corn and soybeans and not put it on oil? What about all the indirect of protecting the oil shipping lanes in the Middle East? This is ridiculous what’s going on here.”

“I want this message to be sent back down the street,” Peterson continued. “I’m off the train. I will not support any kind of climate change bill. I don’t care. Even if you fix this. Because I don’t trust anybody anymore. I’ve had it.”

Listen to Peterson’s statement here:

Peterson’s vocal opposition to the Obama administration’s priority for climate change legislation prompted a response from Heather Zichal, White House deputy advisor on energy and climate change. “There should be no question - the Obama Administration is committed to renewable fuels,” she said in a statement.

Obama’s energy team: Talk to us!

President-elect Barack Obama’s Energy & Environment Policy Transition Team is asking for your feedback on energy issues.  Transition Co-Chairman John Podesta emailed supporters today with a brief overview of the transition and how it will engage Americans in developing policy.

They included a video of the taskforce working and an interview with our friend Heather Zichal.  Zichal joined a radio program sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association last month and outlined Obama’s pro-ethanol views.

Submit your comments to the transition team at Change.gov.

McCain campaign on AgriTalk

With only 3 weeks until the election, the presidential race is certainly heating up. Both campaigns have made energy policy a priority, and now we’ll have a chance to hear specifics straight from the horse’s (or elephant’s!) mouth.

In a two-part presidential forum series, the Renewable Fuels Association is partnering with the popular rural and agricultural radio program AgriTalk to get each campaign’s take on ethanol and its role in this nation’s energy future.

Today, October 16, beginning at 11:30 a.m Eastern/10:30 a.m. Central, Jim Moseley, former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and member of the McCain-Palin Farm and Ranch Team,, will join AgriTalk host Mike Adams to discuss Senator McCain’s views on ethanol.

To find out where you can tune in to hear the interview or to listen in a live stream online, visit AgriTalk.

To hear part one of this series with Heather Zichal of Senator Barack Obama’s campaign, click here.

Be sure to tune in! This should be exciting to hear what the candidates think specifically about ethanol, particularly entering into the home-stretch of the campaigns.

Update: Listen to the program using the player below, or visit agritalk.com

Obama campaign on AgriTalk

With only 4 weeks until the election, the presidential race is certainly heating up. Both campaigns have made energy policy a priority, and now we’ll have a chance to hear specifics straight from the horse’s (or elephant’s!) mouth.

In a two-part presidential forum series, the Renewable Fuels Association is partnering with the popular rural and agricultural radio program AgriTalk to get each campaign’s take on ethanol and its role in this nation’s energy future.

Today, October 7, beginning at 11:30 a.m Eastern/10:30 a.m. Central, Heather Zichal, the top energy, environmental, and agricultural advisor to Senator Barack Obama’s campaign, will join AgriTalk host Mike Adams to discuss Senator Obama’s views on ethanol.

The RFA is continuing to work with Senator McCain’s campaign to determine a convenient time for a representative to discuss the Republican nominee’s stance on ethanol and energy. As soon as a time is announced, you’ll see it here on GoodFuels.

To find out where you can tune in to hear the interview or to listen in a live stream online, visit AgriTalk.

Be sure to tune in! This should be exciting to hear what the candidates think specifically about ethanol, particularly on the very day of the second presidential debate.