Statehouse Democrats today (Friday) called for implementing an ethanol-only mandate for Iowa gas stations on July 1st. Most Iowans already buy fuel blended with corn-based ethanol, but Senate Co-President Jack Kibbie, a Democrat from Emmetsburg, says the ethanol-only mandate would help raise corn prices.
“Every automobile in this state can use E-10,” Kibbie says. “Every pump can pump it, so let’s get with it.”
Kibbie says with declining federal crop subsidies, it makes sense to make the move to support Iowa’s growing ethanol industry.
Most Senate Republicans oppose the ethanol mandate. Kibbie says that’s bunk. “I know their excuse is they don’t want the government telling people what to burn in their automobiles. That’s a flawed excuse in my opinion,” Kibbie says. “I don’t think they’re representing the farm community in this state when they take that position.”
Senate Co-Leader Mike Gronstal, a Democrat from Council Bluffs, says he’s confident the two parties can come to some agreement and take action to further promote the use of ethanol.