ALEXANDRIA, Ind. —
Republican nominee for U.S. Senate Dan Coats announced his “Energy Solutions for Hoosiers” proposal Tuesday as part of his plan for economic growth and job creation during a tour of the Poet Biorefining ethanol plant just outside of Alexandria.
During his visit, Coats stressed that he will be committed to lessening the country’s dependence on foreign oil looking to things like the ethanol produced at Poet.
Coats said the U.S. needs to increase domestic supply and create predictable vehicle efficiency standards for automakers; work toward allowing ethanol to compete in a fair and open market; encourage production of base load electricity including clean coal, hydropower, natural gas, nuclear, geo-thermal and renewable and alternative fuels such as clean coal-to-liquid technology and wind power; and double the amount of nuclear reactors over the next 20 years.
The former GOP senator said technology like that demonstrated at Poet will not only provide for a better, cleaner energy, it will also help create jobs locally and nationally.
Coats said the state is “fortunate to have some of the lowest energy costs in the country. The ‘climate change,’ ‘cap and trade’ legislation passed by the House of Representatives in 2009 to rein in carbon dioxide from coal, oil and natural gas is not the answer to achieve energy independence. While each state would be affected differently, independent analysis has revealed Indiana would be one of the hardest hit.”
Coats’ opponent for the Senate seat Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Ind., said that while Coats’ may be critical of the “cap and trade” legislation while campaigning, as a Washington lobbyist, Coats and his firm made $480,000 advocating for cap-and-trade on behalf of hedge fund mogul Julian Robertson. Ellsworth went on to say that Coats has offered no less than three separate excuses for his work.
“The pattern that I find disturbing is that (Coats) is saying one thing when here in Indiana campaigning and is then doing a different thing in D.C. as a lobbyist accepting a paycheck for what he says and does,” Ellsworth said in a Tuesday interview. “It is a pretty common pattern that we are seeing.”
Ellsworth said the economy and creating jobs for Hoosiers is his No. 1 priority. But making strides in the field of alternative energy is on the forefront of his campaign. It may be the country’s next industrial revolution, he said.
“We want it to be produced here in Indiana,” Ellsworth said. “We want to be the leaders in alternative energy.”
Poet General Manager Dave Hudak said it is very important that national and state leaders understand the need for the ethanol industry to compete in a fair and open market. He said that Coats’ visit was important to the plant and they appreciated that the senatorial candidate’s sentiments echo theirs.
“We have a program that we call the Fueling Freedom Plan,” Hudak said. “(Coats) talked about energy independence and eliminating subsidies. Our plan redirects those subsidies to allow for tax incentives for retailers to add blender pumps and for automakers to make more flex fuel vehicles to allow us as an industry to compete in the fair and open market. That’s what he talked about. It encouraged me that Mr. Coats sees the vital role ethanol is playing and continues to play in the energy future of America. We are very honored he chose to come here and talk about his energy plans.”
Hudak said the plant welcomes visits and would love to give tours to state representatives and senators to give them a chance to learn more about what they do.
“We’ve made tremendous strides in ethanol and efficiency,” he said. “In visiting you can see that firsthand.”
Contact Abbey Doyle, 640-4805, abbey.doyle@heraldbulletin.com.
Local News
Related Photos
-
POET plant manager Dave Hudak shows Dan Coats, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, the large dryers that are used to dry their co-product. John P. Cleary
-
Dan Coats, right, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, gets a tour of the POET Biorefining plant in Alexandria by plant manager Dave Hudak. John P. Cleary
-
POET plant manager Dave Hudak shows Dan Coats, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, a vial of 200 proof ethanol straight from the tap as they tour POET's biorefining plant in Alexandria. John P. Cleary
-
Dan Coats, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, listens as POET Biorefining General Manager Dave Hudak explains about POET and the plant. John P. Cleary
Discussion
Coats tours Poet, unveils energy solutions for state
Opponent Ellsworth questions Coats’ record
- Local News
-
-
Rivals back home, friends here
Football fans began arriving here for Super Bowl XLVI on Friday, bringing together complete strangers, families and old fraternity buddies.
-
Pats tats are sign of pride for Indy police officer
There’s no love lost in this Super Bowl host city for the New England Patriots, but it’s no crime to be a Pats fan. Just ask Indianapolis police Officer Mike Andresen.
-
Wireless infrastructure to be tested under heavy demand
The throngs of fans who’ll descend on Lucas Oil Stadium for Sunday’s Super Bowl game may experience the most “connected” game in the event’s history, thanks to an estimated $100 million investment in technology infrastructure in and around the stadium.
-
Brothers arrested, charged with trafficking
Two men were being held at the Madison County Jail Friday after being arrested and charged with felonies at the Pendleton Correctional Facility Thursday night.
-
Police respond to shooting on 10th Street
Police responded late Friday evening to a reported shooting at a residence on West 10th Street.
-
Local Briefs: Feb. 4
A compilation of news items of local and statewide interest as published in the Saturday edition of the Herald Bulletin.
-
Arrest log: Feb. 4
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on Madison County Jail records.
-
Super Car on display at Mounds Mall
Residents wanting to be a part of the super celebration have another opportunity to do so by visiting Mounds Mall to get an up-close look at one of 33 NFL franchise-themed Indy cars.
-
Once in a lifetime
When it was announced that Indianapolis would host Super Bowl XLVI in 2012, Michelle Brandle and her close friends raced to get online and sign up for a spot to volunteer.
-
Leadership Academy graduates class of 2012
Thursday night marked at least two milestones for the Leadership Academy of Madison County.
It marked the 30th graduating class from the academy, and the attendance at the annual graduation dinner at Anderson Country Club set a new record of 167. - More Local News Headlines
-
