Lawmakers Revisit Ethanol Mandates as Prices Soar
Four months ago, Congress sharply raised production targets for ethanol fuel, from the current 7 billion gallons a year to 36 billion gallons by 2022. Now, some lawmakers are asking whether the ethanol mandates come at too high a price.
The mandated, subsidized biofuel uses corn as its main feedstock. Last year's production required a quarter of the nation's corn harvest, which has led to soaring corn prices. That led to corn displacing other crops.
But trimming those mandates, which have brought windfalls to farm states, may be politically perilous during an election year.
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