Senators Want to Halt Ethanol Mandate

Two dozen senators, including presidential candidate Senator John McCain of Arizona, have
sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calling for a halt or a rule
change that requires a 500-percent increase in ethanol production over the next 15 years.
Congress passed a law in 2007 that requires production of up to 15 billion gallons of corn
ethanol by 2015, and 36 billion gallons by 2022. The 24 U.S. Senators are concerned about
the consequences of using corn for fuel during a global food crisis, which has led to riots
overseas and higher food costs at home. An EPA spokesman said regulators will consider the
economic impact of renewable-fuel requirements when deciding whether to suspend the rules.
The agency has the power to waive or restructure federal requirements, if they cause harm.