Alexander critical of opponent’s stand on ethanol

Republican presidential hopeful Lamar Alexander is in Cedar Rapids thisafternoon to speak at the International Ethanol Fuel Workshop and TradeShow. Earlier this year, Alexander called for a ban on M-T-B-E, an oil-based fueladditive which competes with corn-based ethanol. Alexander says M-T-B-E poisons the groundwater and ethanol is a logicalsubstitute.On June 12th, George W. Bush — the front-runner in the republicanpresidential race — said he supports the federal tax break for ethanol. Alexander says Bush is merely giving “lip service” to a law that’s alreadyon the books.