Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) has announced her intention to block the nomination of Doug Benevento to the position of Deputy Administrator of the EPA.  Without her vote, the nomination will not be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.  At issue is the proposed pending decision on approval of 52 petitions calling for retroactive waivers on blending ethanol into gasoline.

Senator Chuck Grassley supports Senator Ernst and both legislators are putting pressure on the EPA and the Department of Energy to reject the principle of retroactive waivers.