Ethanol interests were quick to oppose an amendment offered by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) today that would prohibit the U.S. Department of Agriculture from funding Flex Fuel pump installations.

“The McCain amendment would smother the only initiative we have to provide consumers the power to choose their fuel, and it gives OPEC the green light to tighten its grip on our economy at the worst possible time,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. “Flex Fuel pumps inject competition in the marketplace. Congress should stand up for consumer choice and move our country’s energy policy forward, by investing in ethanol infrastructure and next generation biofuels.”

A statement from the Renewable Fuels Association called the McCain amendment “a jobs bill for OPEC nations.”

“By specifically singling out the ethanol molecule for exclusion, this amendment is seeking to kill new technologies using algae, wood waste, garbage and other feedstocks that would produce ethanol in their infancy. America needs jobs and domestic ethanol production is a proven method to create those opportunities. We already know what we get by outsourcing our energy future.”

Sen. McCain offered the same amendment during the ethanol tax debate in June when it was defeated by a vote of 41-59. This amendment was part of the 2012 agriculture appropriations bill, but appeared by the end of the day it would not come up for a vote.