Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley sides with the Iowa Corn Growers Association as ethanol production came under fire.
According to an investigation by the Associated Press, ethanol production puts added stress on the environment through erosion and fertilizer pollution. AP reported that “the ethanol era has proven far more damaging to the environment than politicians promised and much worse than the government admits today.”
The Iowa Corn Growers Association disagreed, saying they have reduced fertilizer use and that plants have become more efficient in utilizing what they produce.
“We’re starting a new process where we’re converting the corn kernel fiber into ethanol and ethanol is actually creating 126 percent greenhouse gas emission reduction compared to gasoline,” said Delayne Johnson, CEO of Quad County Corn Processors.
Grassley is in support of ethanol production, and stated that big oil companies are behind the issue.
“Everything about ethanol is good, good, good,” said Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley. “I don’t understand the attack. I can understand it from the aspect of big oil. They don’t like any product they can’t control.”
Grassley also mentioned that expanding the ethanol industry will boost the economy in Iowa and Illinois.