Governor Matt Blunt begins a two-day tour of the state today, announcing that he will sign the bill setting a 10-percent ethanol standard for gas sold in Missouri, beginning in 2008. The Governor will sign the law that will require that nearly all gas sold in Missouri beginning in January of 2008 be a 10-percent ethanol blend. Increased demand on ethanol has tightened supplies and driven up the price of ethanol-blended gas. Blunt says there is plenty of time to increase production. There is a catch in the law. If ethanol blends cost more than reguar gasoline, the requirement doesn’t kick in. Democrats have pointed out that Blunt’s brother, Andy Blunt, is an investor in an ethanol plant, and imply the Governor moved on the issue to line his brother’s pocket. The Governor says Andy Blunt has no input on his administration’s policies. Blunt says the ethanol requirement helps farmers, reduces air pollution and lessens dependence on foreign oil.
Related web sites:
Missouri HB 1270
