Nussle releases his own energy plan

Iowa Congressman Jim Nussle has released details of an energy “agenda” he says he’ll pursue in Congress. The second-district congressman says his policy is aimed at keeping the U-S supplied by using ideas shown effective in Iowa. Nussle’s plan stresses conservation, renewable energy sources, less dependence on foreign oil, and an energy strategy that recognizes its importance to national security. Nussle’s a big fan of expanding the use of ethanol by extending the tax break for ethanol and would ban methanol.Nussle says alternative energy sources will do well under his agenda.He says ethanol co-ops would benefit, wind-energy generators, and a geothermal plant Nussle visited in Dubuque would do well. Nussle says the change of power in the Senate isn’t likely to have much impact on the success of legislation sent from the House.He says the Senate has a “super-majority” rule so you already needed 60 votes to do anything. Nussle says the real loss is Grassley’s departure as head of the finance committee. But he adds Iowa House members hope to see benefits from Senator Tom Harkin’s chairmanship of the Senate ag committee, which could benefit energy sources like ethanol.