Lewis touts biodiesel in Havre visit

Democratic U.S. House candidate John Lewis was in Hill County Friday, touring biotech facilities at Montana State University-Northern, touting his new energy and agriculture policies and then attending the powwow at Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation.

Lewis opposes Republican Ryan Zinke in the Nov. 4 election.

Lewis called Northern’s biodiesel facilities “not nationwide leaders but worldwide leaders” in biodiesel development.

“I can‘t believe they have five people running the entire program,” he said.

Jobs in the biodiesel industry are just the kind that are needed in Montana, he said. “They are high-paying jobs with a future.”

The Montana University System should be a leader in development of these industries and in training people for the jobs, said Lewis.

Biodiesel is a key component of his energy policy, he said, along with expansion of solar and wind energy. These forms of energy also open doors for employment opportunities, he said. Tax breaks for these kinds of energy would help expand opportunities, he said.

See also, “House candidates differ on energy issues,” Page A2.

But Lewis said he is not forsaking other energy forms such as oil, coal and natural gas that already provide jobs for many Montanans.

A believer in human-caused climate change, Lewis said he favored seeking ways — such as carbon sequestration — to make traditional forms of energy cleaner for the environment.

Oil, gas and coal industries already receive tax breaks, he said.

He said biomass energy from Montana forests should be classified as renewable energy, enabling more use of that resource.

Lewis introduced his agriculture policy, saying he would fight hard to win a seat on the House Agriculture Committee so he can fight to improve conditions in the state’s number one business.

One in five jobs in Montana are connected to farming, he said.

His prime emphasis will be on helping young people interested in getting in or staying in farming and ranching.

He called for expansion of state and federal programs that provide loans and other incentives to young farmers.

Other agricultural policies

• He opposes President Barack Obama’s proposal to eliminate 250 Farm Service Agency offices.

“He didn’t say where they would be eliminated,” he said. “But there are 48 FSA offices in Montana. “You can be sure that some would close under this plan.”

• Lewis promised to put pressure on BNSF Railway Co. to improve rail transportation services for farmers. He said he favored rail transportation for Bakken oil, but did not want to mean grain growers would have a harder time getting products to market.

• Lewis promised to promote Montana products by giving farmers a strong voice.

He will promote Montana farm products by ensuring that the next Farm Bill includes support for crop insurance, the livestock disaster program and country of origin labeling laws.

• He will support investment in agricultural research and development, especially programs based in Montana.

Ethical reform

Lewis said he had proposals to restore confidence in Congress that included a proposal to ban lawmakers from lobbying for two years after they leave office. Laws now prohibit lobbying for a year after leaving office.

Among his other proposals, people who run political action committee would not be allowed to use those funds if they later decide to run for office.

That seems to describe the position Zinke finds himself in.

Zinke formed a political action committee and resigned from the PAC shortly before declaring for the House seat. Zinke said his campaign follows federal law and has no coordination with the PAC.

Lewis said that the PAC is headquartered across the street from the Whitefish residence Zinke uses as his official residence.

The kind of relationship between the PAC and candidate is unusual but not unprecedented, Lewis said.

Comedian Stephen Colbert created a PAC and then began his mock presidential bid in 2012, he said, laughing.