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Ethanol subsidies & Michigan corn growers

(photo by Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio)

Michigan corn farmers may be losing a ‘safety net’.   The Congress is expected to vote soon on ending ethanol subsidies.    The move is expected to save the federal government $1.3 billion this year. 

Ethanol in the United States is mainly produced using corn.  Michigan farmers increased their corn production in recent years as federal mandates required ethanol in gasoline.  

Jamie Wilson is with the Michigan Corn Growers Association.   She says the ethanol subsidy has been a ‘safety net’ for many Michigan corn farmers.  But Wilson says the end of the subsidies doesn’t mean the end for corn ethanol. 

“You know, just because the subsidies aren’t there doesn’t mean…that people are going to stop using ethanol.”

Wilson says ending the corn subsidy should not affect ethanol production in Michigan. 

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
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