(June 16, 2011)  Washington – Responding to a vote in the Senate to reject Sen. John McCain’s effort to prevent federal investment in ethanol refueling infrastructure, the Renewable Fuels Association issued the following statement:

“This vote signifies that an anti-ethanol wave in Congress isn’t swelling, but rather that all this attention on ethanol was little more than political posturing. Lawmakers must now pivot to fact-based, comprehensive discussions about diversifying America’s fuel markets and weakening the grip of OPEC and other nation’s over our economy and energy security. American ethanol producers look forward to working in a constructive manner with lawmakers keeping an open mind about the future of American energy production. Renewable fuels like ethanol are the most effective tools we have today to reduce oil imports and prices at the pump.”

Earlier today, the House adopted its agriculture appropriations bill which included a provision banning the use of USDA funds for ethanol refueling infrastructure. That successful effort was led by Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ). The RFA issued the following statement in response:

“This House bill is likely dead on arrival in the Senate, and the provision included by Rep. Flake was defeated in the vote on the amendment offered by Sen. McCain. It remains our hope that lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol will now take up a serious conversation about American energy policy. Any discussion must include domestically produced renewable fuels like ethanol.”