STATES PASS NEW ETHANOL LAWS DESPITE CONCERN OVER OZONE, GAS PRICES

Two state legislatures have passed new ethanol mandates that could be precedents elsewhere in the country, amid the groundswell of support for alternative energy sources and the continuing debate over the role of ethanol in air quality and energy savings. Supporters of state legislation are also exploring innovative provisions seeking to allay concerns that new ethanol requirements would increase gas prices or worsen urban ozone problems. But these worries have led similar bills to stall or be defeated in several...