In a sure sign of White House political maneuvering, George Allen’s office announced the senator would consider voting for legislation requiring the U.S. to double its ethanol, biodiesel and other “renewable fuel” use by 2012. Allen used to be a “reliable vote against expanding the ethanol industry but lately he is rethinking his position.”

The plan could add an additional 3.6 cents per gallon to the cost of gasoline, costing taxpayers an additional $3.2 billion over the next five years.

When Allen spokesman David Snepp was asked if the move had anything to do with a possible White House run, he said, “I don’t have any comment about that.”