Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) believes his state can use more ethanol-blended gasoline.  He has asked the state legislature to require that gasoline offered for sale contain an oxygen additive such as ethanol.

"Iowa can do more to promote ethanol," says Harkin.  "Establishing a fuel quality standard that would boost ethanol use is sound policy for Iowa.  It only makes sense that the state...should support greater use of ethanol, both for the environmental, health and economic benefits, and as a step toward expanding the ethanol market nationally."

Harkin says Republican leaders in the legislature have expressed opposition to a bill implementing a 10% ethanol-blended fuel standard.

The economic benefits of more ethanol use would include improved commodity prices and income, new jobs, more personal income, more tax revenues and greater economic growth, says Harkin.

"Currently we rely on sources outside of our borders for 98% of our energy, costing Iowans $4 billion each year," he adds.  "America's charting a perilous course by ignoring the economic and national security implications of a heavy reliance on foreign oil."