Bob Dinneen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association, told reporters Wednesday that he doesn’t expect a major shift in support for ethanol after the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives in the November 2 election.

“Will that have a meaningful impact on the U.S. ethanol industry?  I believe the answer to that is No.  

Ethanol is not now, nor has it ever been a partisan issue,” Dinneen said.

The industry had bipartisan support when the Renewable Fuel Standard was passed under Republican leadership in 2005, he said. And that continued when a Democratic Congress expanded the renewable fuel mandates in the 2007 Energy Bill toward the end of the Bush Administration.

Dinneen said several strong supporters of ethanol were defeated, including Democrats Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota and Earl Pomery of North Dakota. But many in both parties remain in Congress. And some new faces are, too.

“Does anyone believe that Kristy Noem (R‐SD) will not be a strong voice for ethanol?” Dinneen asked, referring to the Tea Party-backed candidate who replaces Herseth Sandlin next year.  

During a campaign debate in October, both South Dakotans expressed support for the industry.

When asked if he thought other new Tea Party members of Congress will be supportive, Dinneen said, “That remains to be seen.”