Ethanol’s role could increase in the wake of terrorist attacks

As part of the war on terrorism, a percentage of corn-based ethanol would be required in gas pumps nationwide under a new homeland security proposal being considered in Congress. Lucy Norton, spokeswoman for the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, says it could be a huge boost for Iowa corn growers.Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley echoes Norton in saying the proposal would decrease American dependence on foreign oil. Estimates indicate it could raise ethanol production from one-point-six billion gallons last year to five billion gallons a year. Norton says it could even be higher.Norton says five ethanol production plants are now operating in Iowa, four are under construction in Iowa and seven more are in the planning stages. Not every gas pump nationwide would have to pump ethanol under the plan, but a percentage of them would have to offer a blend of the corn-based fuel.