Energy Independence Calls for Ethanol Import Tariff

The President stated, “The federal government has got a role to play to encourage new industries that will help this nation diversify away from oil. And so we’re strongly committed to corn-based ethanol produced in America.” The President clearly understands the need to assist our domestic ethanol industry so that they can get a foothold and succeed. Why would the United States want to send a signal that we’re backing away from our efforts to seek energy independence by promoting renewable fuels in the United States?

Providing yet more duty-free treatment for Brazilian ethanol would send the wrong signal to those Americans who are devoting their careers to help America become more energy independent. The U.S. ethanol industry is working every day to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. This is a virtue that President Bush has touted again and again.

Providing more duty-free treatment for ethanol won’t increase supplies or reduce prices at the pump. It’s a solution in search of a problem. It’s a bad idea for our energy independence and our national security.