Posted on 02/28/2018 10:51:34 AM PST by conservative98
WASHINGTON -- An impasse remains over a nettlesome aspect of the nation's biofuels standards even after the White House on Tuesday hosted Sen. Ted Cruz and some corn state senators for a meeting at the Texan's request.
Despite the lack of a breakthrough to deal with Cruz's concern that the setup is harming refineries in Texas and beyond, he lifted a months-long blockade on an Iowa official nominated to a top USDA post. The Senate then quickly confirmed Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.
Senator Ted Cruz ✔ @SenTedCruz This morning, we had a very positive & productive meeting on fixing the broken RINs system. I commend @POTUS for bringing the two sides together & for leaning in hard to find a win-win solution that benefits both Iowa farmers & blue-collar refinery workers.http://bit.ly/2oBqL06
Cruz's delay tactics had angered many politicos in the critical presidential primary state, where he won the GOP caucuses in 2016.
The Republican had refused to lift the freeze unless he could secure a sit-down with President Donald Trump and Senate colleagues from the Midwest. He said afterward that he is confident that potential remains for a "win-win" solution on the ethanol mandate.
But Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley made clear that there is "no deal" in the offing, while also sending some unmistakable jabs over the delay in getting Northey confirmed.
"FINALLY FINALLY Bill Northey confirmed for undersecy of Ag," Grassley wrote on Twitter after the Senate's approval. "Congratulations! It took too long. You were used as an innocent tool btwn big oil & ethanol."
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
Corn should never be used as fuel. We have 500 years of cheap oil. The production of corn fuel is too expensive. Take into account the energy wasted in field production, fertilizer and water table reduction and it in insanity! It needs to be stopped now!! The American people should demand that it stop.
True, but holding up this pick is BS. It’s almost March 2018. Trump should have had his team in place months ago.
I agree with that for sure. Cruz trying to represent his corn farmers. I understand his motivation but as buyer of fuels many of us don’t like it!! I think it is far more that the hand full of corm farmers.
Like HELL!
Ethanol is a complete FRAUD.
It has NO BENEFIT as FUEL!
It costs more to make than Petro-Based gas.
It reduces mileage to the same extent that it reduces pollution, such that the pollutants per mile remain unchanged.
IT IS A VOTE BUYING SCHEME for corn producing states!
PERIOD!
On second reading, Cruz is not pushing corn. He is representing refinery workers and the oil industry which I totally support. It is Trump that needs to get off this corn fuel nonsense.
But the EEEEEVul Ted Cruuuuuuzzze opposes ethanol in fuel, therefore we must support it.
Agreed, get rid of this nonsense! We wonder why gas prices never fall concurrent with the price of oil, there you have it. In addition to being more expensive, it’s a lot less efficient. And, while we’re at it, let’s get rid of this regionally-formulated, seasonal gasoline nonsense - yet another contributing factor to the price of gasoline.
Absolutely right and allow the sale of cars that we can work on!!
Absolutely right and allow the sale of cars that we can work on!!
Right on. And until that happens and everyone gets what they want, hold up all of Trump’s nominees. smh.
The government is subsidizing an industry that is, basically, burning a food crop. Unless you are profiting from the subsidy, how does this make any sense?
Ted is on the side of the refineries... will you post your own picture as busted in your ignorance.
He’s on the side of holding up Trump’s picks and got nothing out of it. He should work with Congress instead of against Trump.
It makes no sense to force me to buy a product I don’t want to be able too but a product I do want. In fact that is the basis for the anti trust tie in felony!! In order to but a shirt , I cannot be compelled to buy a tooth brush!! I should not be compelled to buy corn in order to buy oil!!
Is your phone ringing with a call from Moscow?
Ethanol, the Republican version of Obamacare.
Here, use this. No you MUST use this! Oh and pay more for less.
Grassley has sniffed too many hog farms on this issue. The Methane has taken its toll.
Yep. Reminds me of something my dad said not long before he passed: “That $4,500 new car we bought in 1974 is sitting in the driveway; they just added $20,000 of government regulations as standard equipment.”
That has been my position for decades.
This Midwesterner is weary of abusing the country at large.
Ethanol is, has been, and will forever be a giant scam benefiting farmers and big agribusiness.
STOP now.
It is a bunch of “global warming” crap and “global warming” is a hoax!!
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