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Corn
Growers Praise President Bush for Pro-Ethanol National Energy Plan (11-29-01)
President
George W. Bush, in remarks made to Farm Journal's Sixth Annual Forum
in Washington, DC, emphasized the importance of ethanol to national
security, the environment and the farm economy. After praising farmers
for representing and preserving the values of the United States, the
president gave a strong endorsement of renewable fuels and encouraged
the Senate to pass a national energy bill.
During
the pro-ethanol speech, President Bush stated, "I also want to
improve our homeland security and our economy by having a national energy
plan. I want to thank the Farm Journal Forum for emphasizing the importance
of ethanol and biofuels. These fuels are gentle on the environment.
They are fuels that can be renewed year after year, and fuels that can
expand our farm economy. These fuels are made right here in America,
so they can't be threatened by any foreign power."
President
Bush continually reiterated his support for ethanol, adding, "Ethanol
and biofuels are fuels of the future for this country. Since the beginning
of my administration, I have strongly supported ethanol and biofuels.
And the energy plan I sent to Congress back in the spring supports biofuels."
"President
Bush was right on target in his remarks today," said Boyd Smith,
a York, Neb., corn farmer and chairman of the National Corn Growers
Association Ethanol Marketing Committee. "The president echoed
NCGA's long standing position that renewable fuels - like ethanol -
promote the national interest, and are good for both the environment
and the economy, while enhancing our national security."
Noting
that one of NCGA's top priorities is inclusion of a Renewable Fuels
Standard in energy legislation, Smith went on to say, "With support
like this from the president we are hopeful we will see legislation
expanding the role of renewable fuels in our national energy policy."
It
is estimated that in 2001, ethanol production will use 675 million bushels
of corn, producing nearly 1.8 billion gallons of the renewable fuel.
Last reviewed
November 29, 2001
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