Senators are considering three anti-ethanol amendments this week as they debate the energy bill. Renewable Fuel Association’s Senior Vice President Geoff Cooper says one calls for total repeal of the Renewable Fuel Standard, while another would stop USDA funding for biofuel infrastructure and blender pumps. He says the third one sponsored by Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey is rather far-fetched as it calls for eliminating the corn ethanol portion of the RFS.
He doesn’t think any of these amendments have any real chance of passing although it’s concerning they’ve surfaced.
Cooper says the major hang up with getting the energy bill approved is tied to water problems in Michigan.
Cooper says he hasn’t heard how Senator Ted Cruz has weighed in on the anti-ethanol amendments. In the past, Cruz who was the top Republican Presidential vote getter in the Iowa Caucus has sponsored an RFS repeal measure.
