Trump Plans Iowa Visit to Announce Pro-Ethanol Measure

President Trump is expected to visit Iowa next week to deliver on a promise to lift a summer ban on higher ethanol blends of gasoline, according to two sources familiar with the plan, aimed at helping Farm Belt Republicans in tight congressional election races.

Reutersreports the move would cap months of fractious negotiations initiated by the White House over ways to help the oil industry deal with the cost of complying with the nation’s biofuel laws, without angering farmers in the nation’s heartland.

Expanding sales of higher ethanol gasoline blends could help both constituencies by making it easier for the energy industry to hit annual blending quotas under the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard, while shoring up demand for the corn-based fuel.

Sources said Trump plans to visit Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Oct. 9.