WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate turned away an attempt yesterday by Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn to immediately repeal an ethanol production tax credit. The Senate defeated Coburn’s amendment 59-40. The vote split farm-state Republican senators, including Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts of Kansas from Republican deficit hawks. Kansas Corn Growers Association president Bob Timmons said the vote was important to corn producers and the ethanol industry. The amendment would have severely damaged ethanol production in the U.S., he said. The latest studies show that ethanol reduced gas prices by 89 cents per gallon in 2010, he said. Ethanol production also reduces U.S. dependence on foreign oil, he said.
Wednesday, June 15, 4 p.m.
