Issue Position: Promoting Energy Independence

Issue Position

Chuck Grassley recognizes the importance of a balanced energy plan. Grassley understands the need to develop traditional oil and gas resources in the United States. He knows that the country must support efforts for responsible resource development while using the best technology available to protect the environment. He also advocates for energy conservation both individually and as a nation. And, he continues continue to push for more development, production and use of alternative renewable fuels.

Home-grown, renewable energy has no better friend than Chuck Grassley. Grassley has used his top-ranking position on the Senate Finance Committee to advance public policy measures and build America's investment in renewable energy, including: ethanol, biodiesel, cellulosic biofuels, hydropower, wind, geothermal, and methane-powered electricity from livestock waste. Expanding green energy by using homegrown Midwestern commodities would diversify Rural America's economy, create jobs, reduce dependence on foreign oil and curb pollution.

Grassley's efforts have been applauded by all of the major organizations representing renewable energy interests. Recently, several groups said in a statement, "Chuck Grassley has been in a position to change the energy landscape, and he has maximized every public policy opportunity for clean-producing, home-grown energy. Without Chuck Grassley, there would be no clean-burning renewable energy industry in Iowa."

Grassley recognizes the potential of Iowa's home-grown energy, and is well known as the champion of biofuels throughout his time in Congress. He's taken on Big Oil and the Grocery Manufacturers Association when they worked to undermine the growing renewable fuels industry.

The Farm Bureau Spokesman columnist Dirck Steimel recognized Grassley's efforts when he wrote, "The slick lobbyists ticked off the wrong guy when they began peddling their stealthy propaganda campaign…Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley sniffed out the well-funded campaign being launched by one of the capital's top lobbying groups for the Grocery Manufacturers Association…Maybe biofuels supporters don't have high-priced and hired-gun lobbyists in their stable, as the grocery folks do. But, they've got a determined and hard-working senator who is armed with the truth."

And, when the Democratic Congressional leadership allowed the biodiesel tax credit to expire for political leverage, Grassley kept the heat on. After introducing bipartisan legislation last summer to extend the tax credit for five years, Grassley is taking every opportunity to press for an extension. Since January 2009, more than 45,000 jobs have been lost in the biodiesel industry nationally.

Grassley is also working to extend key job creating tax incentives for ethanol. His latest efforts include legislation to extend the ethanol tax credit, the small producer tax credit, the cellulosic producer tax credit, and the ethanol import tariff.

Not only does Grassley fight for biofuels, and the jobs they create, but he is also the author of the wind energy production tax credit. Since he got the credit passed, he's worked to extend and expand the credit and he's fought to keep the credit from being cut. There are few who have done more to put wind energy on the map than Grassley. The American Wind Energy Association has said about Grassley, "…We are especially grateful to Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) for their determined, bipartisan leadership in promoting this crucial step forward for America's workers, our economy and our environment."

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