Lawmakers Seek to Reduce Tariffs on Imported Ethanol

Two senators have moved to drop the United States’ tariff on imported ethanol as at least one way of reducing skyrocketing gasoline prices. The legislation, which drew praise from critics of current government policies favoring domestic ethanol, was proposed by U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein , D-California, and Judd Gregg , R-New Hampshire (pictured). It would in effect drop the tax on imports of the fuel additive from countries such as Brazil to 45 cents per gallon, the lawmakers said in a statement . Currently, the charge is 54 cents. As Climate Law Update has reported, there  considerable dispute exists over the wisdom of promoting biofuels such as corn-based ethanol as a way of fighting global warming. Biofuel production has also been a hot topic at a world food conference in Rome.  A provision in the farm bill (along with additional information ) that was recently passed  over the president&...