Biodiesel on the way in, ethanol on the way out?

Intro: As the Senate Agriculture Committee approved a requirement that truckers pump biodiesel into their tanks, other legislators want to repeal requirements on ethanol.

Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.

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Rural Western Missouri Republican Bill Stouffer sponsored the biodiesel bill, and says the alternative fuel makes the air cleaner and will keep engines running longer.

On the House side of the Capitol Building, Jackson County Republican Representative Brian Yates proposed a bill to get rid of a similar requirement, that all gasoline contain 10 percent ethanol.

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Description: We just have to look at what the effect has been from one mandate already. And I think most Missourians would conclude that it has not been a positive impact on our economy and on consumers. I don't understand why we would be looking to pass further mandates with other products.

Yates says the ethanol mandate has raised the price of food.

According to Triple A (Automobile Association of America), Missouri has the seventh lowest gas prices in the country.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith.

Intro: As one group of legislators wants to repeal corn-based fuel for cars, the Senate Agriculture Committee voted to advance an alternative-fuel mandate for trucks.

Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.

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Rural Western Missouri Republican Bill Stouffer sponsored the bill, which says all diesel must contain five percent biodiesel.

Meanwhile, several other Republicans say they want to repeal the 10 percent ethanol requirement in gasoline.

Stouffer supports the ethanol mandate, and says state subsidies for ethanol benefit taxpayers.

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Description: We normally run about 10 cents under. We actually, when prices were high, were running 18 to 20 to 25 cents under the national average. And I believe that we put millions of dollars in the consumers' pocket during the very high gasoline prices.

Opponents compare the biodiesel proposal to the ethanol requirement, which they say led to higher food costs and lower fuel efficiency.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith.

Intro: The Republican-controlled legislature is moving in opposite directions, confused with what to do about ethanol and biodiesel.

Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.

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The rural Republican-dominated Senate Agriculture Committee advanced a bill that requires truckers to put five percent biodiesel into their tanks.

At the same time, three Republican legislators want to repeal the state mandate that gasoline contain 10 percent ethanol.

Jackson County Representative Brian Yates says he regrets voting for the ethanol requirement 3 years ago.

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Description: I think, you know, in retrospect a lot of the legislators are regretting that vote. In fact, I've talked to so many legislators that said that was probably the biggest mistake they've made while being down here at the Capitol.

Other GOP lawmakers say ethanol has poor gas mileage.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith.