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Proposed legislation in Illinois would boost ethanol infrastructure

The Industrial Committee Chair with the Illinois Corn Growers Association says there’s a new proposal in the General Assembly to expand ethanol infrastructure in the state.

Sarah Hastings, who represents District 6 and farms in Champaign County, says the bill would allow unused funds set aside for the repair of leaky underground fuel storage tanks to be used by retailers investing in ethanol.

“Leaky tanks aren’t really a problem anymore.”  She says, “What happens every year is if that money is unused, then they use it for any budget shortfall. We have just asked them, could we have that money available for fuel retailers?”

Chris Davis, director of state legislation with the Illinois Farm Bureau, says that investment could range from additional ethanol storage tanks to blender pumps. 

“There is a funding source available and a need and a desire by fuel retailers to sell more product,” he says.

Hastings tells Brownfield driving ethanol demand builds corn demand.

“Right now, the ag economy is in a bit of a downturn.”  She says, “So, we’re trying to think of ways that we can grow demand domestically, like higher blends of ethanol, so then people, when they pull up to a gas station, they have more options.”

Davis says more education of lawmakers around the issue is needed before he expects to see action on the proposal.  

AUDIO: Sarah Hastings – Illinois Corn Growers Association