Des Moines Register
02-09-07
Romney visits Iowa State lab, endorses energy independence
By LISA ROSSI
REGISTER AMES BUREAU
Ames, Ia. - Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney spoke out Thursday against
dependence on foreign oil and said investments in renewable energy can help
reduce that dependence.
Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, toured the Center for Crops
Utilization Research at Iowa State University, in the Plant Science Building
on the western side of campus.
"It's a great opportunity to be at Iowa State," Romney said. "They are spending
time to find ways to improve the economy associated with ethanol. ... This
investment improves ways to reduce reliance on foreign oil."
Larry Johnson, director of the center, led the tour and introduced Romney to
scientists who highlighted work in the lab, such as how they are working to make
plastic with vegetable oil, rather than petroleum, which is nonrenewable.
Romney also learned how ISU scientists are searching for ways to make more
ethanol byproducts consumable for poultry and swine.
"My message is we're in the midst of an agricultural revolution," Johnson said to
Romney at the beginning of the tour, where he emphasized that Iowa was the
leader of this type of research.
By the end of the tour, Romney, 59, said he was impressed with ISU's work and
eager to see how it will develop in the future.
"Someday people will be using these for all types of purposes we can't
comprehend today," he said. "It's just amazing."
After the tour, Romney said U.S. independence can come from a variety of
energy sources, such as biodiesel, biofuel, ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, liquefied
coal, nuclear power, and efficiencies built into automobiles and homes.
Romney was elected to his single term as governor in 2002. He stepped down in
January to join a crowded field of Republicans seeking the nomination.
He is scheduled to formally announce his presidential campaign on Tuesday and
will hold an event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds at 1 p.m. that day.
After the tour, Romney fielded questions about his status in polls that have put
him behind former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John
McCain.
"I've spent most of my life not in government, not in politics, but in the private
sector," he said. "We need to see federal government respond in a much more
efficient way than it has."
Romney also responded to campaign buzz about his religion - he is the only
Mormon running for president in a campaign where he has stressed his
conservative values.
"A lot of people in American want a person of faith to run the country," he said.
"They don't care about the brand, as long as it's the values they share."
Reporter Lisa Rossi can be reached at (515) 232-2383 or lrossi@dmreg.com