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Environmental Groups Shaped Biden’s Agenda. Except on Ethanol.

The Biden administration said airlines can use corn and soy-based ethanol as an alternative to fossil fuels. Environmental groups say that’s bad for the planet.

White House Climate
Environmental groups say increasing reliance on ethanol is a counterproductive way to address climate change. Yuri Gripas/AP

Airlines, the Biden administration, farmers and most of Congress share a single vision for the future of sustainable flying: corn and soybeans.

This week, the Biden administration said corn and soy-based ethanol qualify for tax credits as a sustainable alternative to petroleum. The move is a political winner. Airlines want access to the large source of sustainable fuel, and ethanol brings in cash for rural communities and farmers at a time when the popularity of electric and hybrid cars threatens their bank accounts.

But environmental groups say that’s all this is: a counterproductive farm country boondoggle.