TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ Florida Gov. Rick Scott wants the federal government to drop a requirement for corn-based ethanol in gasoline.
Scott made that request in a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency because he wants to help Florida's cattle industry.
The governor writes in the letter dated Tuesday that a short supply of corn due to drought this year has spiked cattle feed prices.
That in turn has cut the market price of Florida feeder calves shipped to the Midwest where they fatten up on corn.
Scott writes it has cost Florida cattlemen $80 million this year.
He noted several other governors also have asked to temporarily set aside the ethanol requirement designed to improve the nation's energy independence.
Scott, though, says it should be waived to save jobs and protect consumers.
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