Grassley and Ethanol: Industry Loses Key Ally in Deficit Battle
by Phil Brasher (Des Moines Register) Cutting the deficit is more important than protecting the ethanol industry if it comes to that, says Sen. Chuck Grassley, long the biofuel industry’s most powerful ally in Congress.
Grassley said Tuesday that he would vote for a deficit-cutting bill even it includes two House-passed provisions that are intended to slow the ethanol industry’s growth.
…Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, an ethanol trade group, said the votes show that the industry is losing some of its congressional clout. He blamed the defeats on a campaign by ethanol opponents to blame biofuels for higher food prices.
…Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Ia., criticized the inclusion of the anti-ethanol provisions in the House legislation.
“Blocking funding for expanding ethanol use to E15 blends not only does not save any significant funding, it takes us backwards on energy security by making us more dependent on foreign imports,” Harkin said.
Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Ia., called the House bill “a direct assault on Iowa’s ag economy.” READ MORE
