"In Iowa, GOP Hopefuls Differ on Support for Ethanol Mandate"

"DES MOINES, Iowa -- Republican presidential hopefuls who attended the first Iowa Agriculture Summit this past weekend were divided in their views on what role the government should play in supporting the biofuels industry.

Most of the potential GOP candidates who attended the lively summit Saturday expressed support for the renewable fuel standard, though the level of enthusiasm for the policy ranged from unequivocal to moderate. Three potential 2016 candidates -- former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and former New York Gov. George Pataki -- said they were against mandating that refiners use biofuels.

Some of the ethanol industry's biggest lobbyists attended the summit, and supporters of the RFS say they intend to use the statements as a base line for judging GOP candidates as the presidential caucuses near."

Amanda Peterka reports for E&E Daily March 9, 2015.