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NCGA Contributes to Energy Independence (7-03-01)
Every July 4th, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) joins the
rest of the nation in celebrating the founding of the most successful
example of representative government in world history-the United States
of America.
Millions of citizens
have fought and died to protect this nation. Despite the United States'
status as the most powerful nation on earth, it has glaring vulnerabilities
on an issue that is central to preserving the American way of life -
energy.
Because the United
States imports nearly 60 percent of the petroleum used in refining gasoline,
the American economy faces unacceptable risks concerning supply disruption
and price escalation.
"The energy
crisis of the 1970s provided historical proof of how these threats can
plunge the U.S. economy into a steep recession, and otherwise bring
everyday activities we take for granted to a complete standstill,"
said Boyd Smith, chairman of the NCGA Ethanol Task Force, and a farmer
from York, Neb. "These are among the reasons why President Bush
considers U.S. energy policy to be a national security issue. Fortunately,
our elected leaders have viable options that can reduce the vulnerabilities
we face on energy."
Boyd noted that
corn growers can make a substantial contribution toward helping the
nation achieve energy independence. "NCGA is pushing hard to incorporate
a renewable fuels provision in the Administration's energy plan,"
he said.
Such a standard,
Smith explained, would direct - for example - that renewable fuels like
ethanol attain a 3 percent market share of all gasoline produced by
2011. The impact that even a 3 percent ethanol share would have is considerable
- 9 billion gallons of U.S.-produced ethanol would displace 300,000
barrels of imported oil daily.
"When ethanol
is mandated to achieve a 5 percent market share by 2016, the impact
is even more remarkable - 16 billion gallons of corn-derived ethanol
will displace 610,000 barrels of imported oil a day," said Smith,
adding, "The message on corn-derived ethanol is clear and compelling:
Ethanol is a renewable and domestically produced fuel that delivers
energy security and is immune to manipulation by foreign governments
and cartels. Corn growers can help President Bush's policies achieve
the goals of energy security and self-sufficiency, and advance the reality
of energy independence."
Corn growers can
let their voices be heard on a comprehensive energy policy that includes
renewable fuels by contacting their congressional representatives. Letters
can be sent directly to congressional representatives from the Legislative
Action Center on the NCGA web site.
Last
reviewed July 3, 2001
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