Naig and Challenger Jones Spar Over Iowa Ethanol Industry
Iowa's agriculture secretary and his Democratic challenger clashed over the future of the state's ethanol industry during a recent taping of Iowa PBS's 'Iowa Press.'
Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, a Republican seeking a third term, touted ethanol as a major benefit to Iowa's economy and agricultural sector. In contrast, Democratic challenger Chris Jones argued that the state has become too dependent on a corn-soybean production system supported by ethanol.
Jones pointed out that demand for liquid fuels, including ethanol, may decline as vehicles become more fuel efficient, and proposed leading a conversation about what comes next for Iowa's land currently devoted to growing corn for ethanol plants. Naig countered that rising fuel prices demonstrate the need for increased domestic energy production, including renewable fuels like ethanol.