Legislators hope to pump up ethanol

Stung by Iowa Corn Growers’ criticism after rejecting a move to make ethanolthe only fuel available at Iowa gas pumps, Republican legislators plan asummertime promotion for ethanol. Lawmakers will appear at busy gasstations in their districts to pump ethanol for motorists who stop atself-service islands. The first “Pumping Ethanol for Tomorrow” or “PET”project is this Saturday in West Des Moines.State Representative Libby Jacobs, a republican from West Des Moines, willbe pumping ethanol along with two other legislators. Jacobs says thepublicity can accomplish just as much as enacting pro-ethanol policy.This summer and fall, a panel of lawmakers is exploring ideas for expandingethanol’s market share. The panel’s recommendations will be forwarded tothe 2000 legislature.