McCain’s potential impact detailed

By Bob Stuart

Published: August 5, 2008

HARRISONBURG — Sen. John McCain is opposed to the federal mandates and subsidies for producing corn-based ethanol that are driving up the cost of corn for Shenandoah Valley poultry farmers, two Valley state delegates said Tuesday.
McCain’s new energy plan would also include the option for states to drill offshore for oil and construct nuclear power plants over the next 20 years.
Del. Matt Lohr, R-Rockingham, a poultry farmer, said the increased cost of corn brought by federal mandates for corn-based ethanol are the number one cost issue for poultry farmers.
“The cost of corn has tripled,’’ said Lohr, during a McCain presidential news conference in Harrisonburg’s Court Square.
The delegate said the federal mandate for 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol by 2015 is presenting a tremendous hardship for Valley poultry, cattle and swine farmers.
McCain told Iowa farmers during the Iowa caucuses campaigning earlier this year that the mandates for corn-based ethanol were not the way to go, said Del. Chris Saxman, R-Staunton, co-chair of McCain’s Virginia campaign
Saxman said McCain does favor production of corn-based and sugar-based ethanol.
Saxman said McCain’s Lexington Project for energy calls for the construction of 45 nuclear power plants by 2030 and offshore drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf, that would produce natural gas.
Lohr said the natural gas would help in the production of fertilizer for farmers.
Saxman took particular issue with Democratic candidate Barack Obama’s idea for a windfall profits tax on oil companies.
“It’s bad policy,’’ he said. “Why wouldn’t you do the same for Google and Yahoo?”
The campaign Web site says that if elected, Obama would work to impose a windfall profits penalty on oil selling at or over $80 per barrel.
A spokesman for Obama’s Virginia campaign said McCain is providing $4 billion in tax cuts for oil companies.
Spokesman Kevin Griffis said Obama’s windfall tax plan would help consumers struggling with high gas prices.
He said the plan would take money from the wealthiest oil companies and provide a $1,000 rebate to struggling consumers.