Ethanol, Exports and Effective Energy Policies
Mary Schaper
Posted March 10, 2015
End the Ethanol Rip-Off
The New York Times op-ed (Robert Bryce): With the collapse in global oil prices, members of Congress are once again pushing to raise the federal gasoline tax, with the proceeds going to new roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects. While some in Congress might be averse to a tax increase of any kind, they might find it more palatable if it came packaged with a tax cut.
Fortunately, there is a perfect option, a hidden levy that has benefited a small group of farmers and manufacturers in a handful of states: the corn ethanol tax.
The tax is hidden because, on paper, it appears as a clean-energy mandate. Federal law currently requires fuel retailers to blend about 13 billion gallons of corn ethanol per year into the gasoline they sell to the public, making the gas more expensive. This year, that mandate, known as the Renewable Fuel Standard, will impose about $10 billion in additional fuel costs on motorists.
Read more: http://nyti.ms/1BniJci
More industry news:
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Ethanol Loses its Potency in the Iowa Caucuses: http://bit.ly/1BsUxUQ
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As Demand for Welders Resurges, Community Colleges Offer Classes: http://nyti.ms/1E3gCrq
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Texas Takes Aim at Crude Oil Export Ban: http://bit.ly/1F6Iqzx
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Gov. Tom Wolf’s Budget Relies on Natural Gas to Fund New Energy Projects: http://bit.ly/1Bt7Qom
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New Map Shows Fracking on PA State Lands: http://bit.ly/1F6Lbko
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Blog: If You Want Facts about Keystone XL, President Obama Isn’t Your Best Source: http://uscham.com/1C4p273
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Opinion: U.S. Ban on Oil Exports is a Strategic Mistake: http://bit.ly/1AdoPbc
About The Author
Mary Schaper is a Digital Communications Manager for the American Petroleum Institute. She previously worked on Capitol Hill for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as Digital Director and for Senator Lisa Murkowski. Before coming to D.C., she spearheaded digital strategy for Murkowski's successful Senate write-in campaign in 2010. Schaper enjoys traveling and taking in the local culture alongside her husband, their son and loyal springer spaniel.