No end to US ethanol subsidies

Article Type: News From: Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, Volume 23, Issue 1.

A proposal ending US ethanol subsidies failed a key vote in the Senate,falling far short of the support it needed to move forward. The Senate voted 59 to 40 against limiting debate on the measure from Republican Tom Coburn that would have ended the federal ethanol tax credit and the tariff on ethanol imports before they are scheduled to expire at the end of year.

The vote comes as US lawmakers are looking for ways to cut spending and as criticism mounts globally over subsidies for corn-based ethanol, blamed by some for pushing up food prices. Facing strong opposition from farm state lawmakers and the ethanol industry, the measure was expected to have a difficult time garnering the 60 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster.