Midwest politicians still cling to biofuels program despite its drawbacks

Reuters:
U.S. lawmakers from states that produce corn for ethanol plants said on Wednesday they would consider proposals from Senator Ted Cruz of Texas to help the oil refining industry cope with the nation’s biofuels regulation, but would never agree on anything that diminishes the program.

The price of U.S. renewable fuel credits sunk to their lowest levels in two months amid ongoing efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to mediate talks between the rival oil and corn industries over the Renewable Fuels Program.

Representatives of both sides gathered on Wednesday at the White House and it was agreed that Cruz would circulate proposals to corn-state lawmakers in the weeks ahead that could help oil refining companies meet the RFS, according to the offices of Iowa Republican Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst.

The RFS requires refiners to blend increasing amounts of biofuels like corn-based ethanol into the fuel supply every year, a burden the refining industry says now costs it hundreds of millions of dollars every year and threatens to put some refineries out of business.
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Guess who is missing from this discussion--consumers. 

It would not be that hard to find people who have to repair small engines damaged by biofuels.  It would not be hard to find independent mechanics who are aware of its drawbacks. 

The consumer is caught in the middle of this fight with no voice in the process. 

It is rare to find a filling station that carries gas without ethanol, but when people do find it, there is usually a long line waiting to buy it despite a higher price.  If it were available locally, gas without ethanol would be all I would buy.

The biofuels legislation was sold on a false premise of scarcity of oil and gas and a false assumption that it would be cleaner.  Neither is the case.

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