Plan to repeal ethanol requirement meets opposition

Intro: A Jackson County Republican wants to end the state's ethanol requirement at gas stations.

Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.

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OutCue: SOC

Senator Matt Bartle ran up against a Senate Agriculture Committee dominated by farmers, arguing the state's ethanol standard doesn't allow drivers to choose what they put in their gas tanks.

Bartle says the government favors ethanol over other fuel sources.

Committee Chairman and rural southwest Missouri Republican Dan Clemens says the state has to support Missouri corn growers because they'd lose money otherwise.

Actuality: CLEMENS1.WAV

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Description: I think that sometimes government is required to get involved, to save, especially the number one industry in the state.

Clemens says the state has to protect agriculture, Missouri's top industry.

Bartle admits he doesn't think his bill will pass.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith.

Intro: A Jackson County Republican wants the state to stop fueling the ethanol industry.

Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.

RunTime:0:45
OutCue: SOC

Senator Matt Bartle debated a pro-farming Senate Agriculture Committee, saying the state's requirement that gasoline contain 10 percent ethanol favors ethanol producers.

He also says ethanol reduces fuel mileage and makes less corn available for food.

Committee Vice Chairman and rural western Missouri Republican Bill Stouffer says he thinks investing in ethanol is better than relying on foreign oil.

Actuality: BSTOU1.WAV
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Description: There has to be some social value in creating jobs in this country versus sending $700 billion to people that shoot at us.

Bartle admits he doesn't think his bill will pass.

The ethanol requirement went into effect in January 2008, after it cleared the General Assembly in 2006.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith.

Intro: A Jackson County Republican's bill to repeal Missouri's ethanol requirement met opposition Wednesday.

Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.

RunTime:0:44
OutCue: SOC

Senator Matt Bartle bumped up against the farmer-dominated Senate Agriculture Committee to defend his bill, which would eliminate the statewide requirement that gasoline contain 10 percent ethanol.

He says Missouri has given ethanol producers an unfair advantage.

Actuality: BARTLE3.WAV
Run Time: 00:08
Description: Time and again, if people have hired enough lobbying effort, we have chosen as a legislature to give them a head start, and we have done it with ethanol.

But the committee's chairman says the state has to help agriculture, Missouri's number one industry.

The committee vice chairman says the requirement makes Missouri's gas prices some of the lowest in the country.

The ethanol requirement has been in effect since January 2008, after clearing the General Assembly in 2006.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith.