The two candidates running for state Ag Secretary have opposing views on Iowa’s ethanol industry. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, a Republican who’s running for a third term, says ethanol has been a very good thing for the state of Iowa.
Chris Jones, the Democrat running for state ag secretary, is a retired research scientist who spent most of his career focused on water quality issues.
Jones says as vehicles get more efficient, the demand for liquid fuels — including ethanol, will decline. Jones says if he’s elected, he’ll lead the conversation about what’s next for the Iowa land that’s planted with corn that winds up at an ethanol plant.
Naig says the focus should be on renewable fuels like ethanol.
The candidates made their comments Thursday during the taping for this week’s “Iowa Press” program that airs tonight on Iowa PBS.
