The corn-based ethanol industry supports more than 25,000 Hoosier jobs. But Congressman Todd Young has consistently voted to gut Indiana’s ethanol industry.
Young co-sponsored a bill—the Repeal Ethanol Subsidies Today Act—that would eliminate the ethanol subsidies that support those Hoosier jobs.
Young voted multiple times to repeal ethanol tax credits and weaken or even eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires a certain amount of ethanol mixed into regular gasoline and is responsible for tens of thousands of jobs in Indiana.
Indiana is the fourth largest ethanol producer in the United States and the ethanol industry is responsible for generating nearly $1 billion in the state. But Hoosier farmers can’t trust Todd Young to support it.
BACKGROUND:
ETHANOL PLANTS CREATE AROUND 25,000 JOBS IN INDIANA
Ethanol Plants Created Around 25,350 Jobs In Indiana. [Renewable Fuels Association, 2/21/13]
BUT TODD YOUNG HAS REPEATEDLY SUPPORTED AND VOTED FOR EFFORTS TO REPEAL SUPPORT FOR ETHANOL AND INDIANA CORN FARMERS
Todd Young Co-Sponsored Repeal Ethanol Subsidies Today Act of 2011. [H.R. 1188, Accessed10/3/16]
Lead Sponsor Of Todd Young’s Repeal Ethanol Subsidies Today Act: “Congress Should Do Everything In Its Power To Eliminate Wasteful And Duplicative Programs” Like Ethanol Subsidies.” According to Congressman Lance: “In light of our Nation’s current fiscal challenges I believe Congress should do everything in its power to eliminate wasteful and duplicative programs that unnecessarily cost U.S. taxpayers billions each year,” Lance said. [Congressman Lance, Press Release,4/19/11]
AND REPEATEDLY TRIED TO WEAKEN THE RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARD THAT HELPS INDIANA CORN AND ETHANOL
Todd Young Co-Sponsored Bill “Which Eliminates Corn-Based Ethanol Requirements, Caps The Amount Of Ethanol That Can Be Blended Into Conventional Gasoline At 10 Percent.” According to Agri-Pulse: In April 2013, the four lawmakers introduced H.R. 1462, the RFS Reform Act, which eliminates corn-based ethanol requirements, caps the amount of ethanol that can be blended into conventional gasoline at 10 percent, and requires the EPA to set cellulosic biofuels levels at production levels.” [H.R. 1462, 4/12/13; Agri-Pulse, 5/29/14]
Young: “I Am Cognizant Of The Difficult Long-Term Planning So Many Hoosiers Farmers Must Undertake Each Season. Such Planning Efforts Are, In Part, Made Difficult Through The EPAs Continual Delays And Changes To The RFS Requirements.” In a response to an April 2016 Indiana Corn Growers Association questionnaire, Congressman Todd Young wrote, “I am cognizant of the difficult, long-term planning so many Hoosiers farmers must undertake each season. Such planning efforts are, in part, made difficult through the EPAs continual delays and changes to the RFS requirements.” [Indiana Corn Growers Association, 4/25/16]
– Young: “I Promise To Work To Instill Free Market Principles In The Renewable Fuels Sector That Allows This Vibrant Industry To Operate Efficiently And Effectively Without The Need For Government Mandates And Market Distorting Subsidies.”In a response to an April 2016 Indiana Corn Growers Association questionnaire, Congressman Todd Young wrote, “I promise to work to instill free market principles in the renewable fuels sector that allows this vibrant industry to operate efficiently and effectively without the need for government mandates and market distorting subsidies.” [Indiana Corn Growers Association, 4/25/16]
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