Senator Klobuchar (left) discusses the plant with Roy Strom (far right) of W2 Fuels. KCII photo by Sally Hart

A Washington County biodiesel plant put on idle following waivers from the Renewable Fuel Standard was visited by a candidate seeking the Democratic nomination for president. Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota visited the closed W2 Fuel facility in Crawfordsville.

Roy Strom with W2 Fuels told KCII News that waivers from the current administration for oil refineries destroyed the price value for biodiesel products. The company also had to put a Michigan plant on idle. Strom remains hopeful that both will be able to go back to production. While at the biodiesel company, Klobuchar saw the uniforms of the 17 employees who lost their jobs as the plant went idle due to poor markets. Klobuchar said the current administration has “tricks not treats” and international tariffs are hurting, “And so this is really alarming from a clean fuels standpoint, as well as from an economic point for places like Iowa. And the last time I checked we should be investing in the farmers and the workers of the Midwest, instead of the oil cartels in the Mideast.” Strom led those in attendance, including former Lt. Governor Patty Judge, on a tour of the facility. Klobuchar says she supports companies like this and efforts for cleaner fuel.

Klobuchar also visited Sigourney and Wapello on Friday, and she’s continuing her bus tour across Iowa this weekend with stops in Dubuque, Waterloo, Mason City, Panora, Newton, and Cedar Rapids.