Pushing to End Ethanol Subsidies and Ethanol Mandate

Press Release

Applauds debate in Senate, again calls on Republican leadership in House to bring up tax breaks

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted today to eliminate some subsidies to the ethanol industry and again urged House leadership to hold a full debate on the rest of the wasteful ethanol subsidies.

"The ethanol industry is getting rich off of over $5 billion in tax subsidies that they don't need while ethanol in small engines is wreaking havoc for farmers, fishermen and consumers," Pingree said. "We need to stop the handouts to this industry and stop adding more ethanol to gasoline. It's time for Republicans in the House to bring these issues up for a vote."

Not only do ethanol producers get a tax credit, they also get subsidies to build ethanol blending facilities and have a built-in market because of regulations that require ethanol be added to gas. The legislation Pingree voted for today would end the subsidies for ethanol facilities.

Pingree is co-sponsoring a bill to end the tax credit and has supported legislation that would block the increase of ethanol in gas from 10% to 15%. She has repeatedly condemned the Obama Administration's decision to allow this increase.

Recently Pingree joined her colleagues in asking House Speaker John Boehner to allow for full debate on ethanol subsidies.

Legislation to end ethanol subsidies failed in the Senate Tuesday but is expected to come up again today.

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