John Block Reports from Washington

We haven't been able to push the energy bill over the finish line. And, with the few legislative days left before the election, probably nothing will happen before next year.

The bill is important because it provides incentives to increase the use of renewable fuels especially ethanol. If you are from the Midwest, ethanol IS corn.

We will convert more than 1.3 billion bushels into fuel this year. That is double the production 2 years ago. There is reason to bullish on renewable fuels.

We have experienced record high energy prices this summer. Two dollars per gallon gasoline will get your attention. The public will demand that we find new sources of energy.

The other reason for optimism is that no one wants the U.S. to grow more dependent on other countries. Today we are importing more than 50 percent of our fuel and that is too much. Both Presidential candidates support ethanol, and according to Bob Dineen, President of the Renewable Fuels Association. "President Bush has been the most pro ethanol president this country has ever had." With all those reasons to get the legislation passed, a logical question would be -- what is holding it up?

Well, the energy bill is not just about ethanol. There is an awfully lot of other stuff in there. For a long time it was delayed because it opened the answer. Alaskan wild life refugee to drilling.

Environmentalists objected to that. So that provision was withdrawn. The provision that is holding it back now prevents MTBE manufacturers from being sued for pollution. There is a lot of politics mixed in this.

I predict we will eventually get a bill that will support the renewable fuel industry and bum even more com.

Until next week, I am John Block from Washington.