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Mark Steil
Worthington, Minn.

Minn. ethanol producers wait on word from EPA

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The federal Environmental Protection Agency is saying little about when it will issue a key decision that will affect ethanol production.

Ethanol producers like those in Minnesota's $2 billion a year industry are worried the EPA will effectively order a cut in ethanol production.

The federal agency last year proposed a 6 percent drop in the amount of ethanol that has to be mixed with gasoline this year.

Ethanol backers hope the agency will back off on that idea in its final decision. EPA spokesperson Nate McMichael said the agency is still analyzing the issue.

"We're working on it and hope to have it out as soon as possible," said McMichael.

The ethanol debate is part of the EPA's review of the federal renewable fuels standard. It requires gasoline companies to blend a certain amount of ethanol into their fuel each year.

Many environmental groups and petroleum companies favor a cut in ethanol production.