Estimates Of Federal Tax Expenditures For Fiscal Years 1996 2000

In the late 1970s & early 1980s, Congress enacted tax incentives for biomass-derived alcohol fuels. Subsequent environmental legislation has increased the demand for these fuels. Congress recently debated the need for continuing to provide tax incentives for alcohol fuels. This report addresses the questions: whom do these incentives benefit & disadvantage economically? what environmental benefits have the incentives produced? have the incentives increased the nation's energy independence? & to what extent has the partial exemption from the excise tax for alcohol fuels reduced the flow of revenue into the Highway Trust Fund?