Whether it is a true love and appreciation for our political process, or indeed a sickness, we are entering the holiday season for those who enjoy the game of politics. This season promises to be one of the most exciting and historical in recent memory.

From the top of the ticket down to the local city council elections, energy will be a central theme for all candidates. No doubt, they all will claim to have the greenest, most reliable, least expensive, readily available solutions to meet this nation's energy goals. Some of them very well may, but that determination and responsibility falls directly on American voters.

Given the recent deluge of misinformation and contrived attacks America's biofuel producers are enduring, this election will be a pivotal moment in the future of this industry. Ethanol producers are being blamed for every ill befalling mankind today, and some politicians, often a fickle crowd, seem willing and, in the case of some candidates for higher office, eager to abandon America's biofuels industry.

They seek to start by weakening public policy by taking advantage of provisions designed to prevent severe economic harm to Americans. Some seek to force American taxpayers to subsidize Brazilian ethanol production. Others would get rid of any public policy supporting a domestic renewable fuels industry in favor of greater reliance on ever-shrinking supplies of oil.

Other candidates appreciate the future American biofuel producers are trying to achieve. They recognize that our dependence on oil comes with very real and costly consequences.

They understand that everyone (or most everyone outside Houston) wants to move to that next generation of biofuel technology but recognize that only happens on the back of a strong industry being developed today.

Many candidates fully comprehend that a plethora of solutions will have to be employed to ensure a secure energy future, but understand that ethanol and biofuels must play a critical role. They also recognize that action must be taken now. Lip service and pie-in-the-sky plans that ignore the realities of today's energy markets are not what these candidates seek.

These descriptions describe candidates from both parties and all parts of the country. They describe individuals rather than a party dogma and candidates for every elected office in the land.

As America watches the national political conventions and truly begins to dissect every candidate and every position, it is imperative that we as the American biofuel industry do the same.

The importance of this election to our industry and the energy and agricultural future of this country cannot be overstated. We must do our homework. Understand where the candidates stand and make an informed decision that will ensure American biofuels are allowed to reach their full potential.

We have seen the impact just a single vote can have. Our nation has fought legal battles and seen elections swing by just one vote per precinct.

Make sure that your voice is heard and the rest will take care of itself.

Bob Dinneen
President and CEO
Renewable Fuels Association