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NCGA
EXPLORES BUILDING ETHANOL, RENEWABLES INDUSTRY WITH CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE
AND STATE AGENCIES
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Mimi
Ricketts, Director of Marketing Communications, 636/733-9004, ext.112
Gary Bradley, 636-733-9004, Ext. 139
ST.
LOUIS (October 24, 2001) -- The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA),
long a proponent of ethanol in the interest of the nation's corn growers,
kicked off its weeklong ethanol outreach in California this week, extending
an offer of expertise, information and experience as agricultural and
state groups look to build markets for renewables in the state.
"This week, we are
meeting with California agricultural groups and state officials to discuss
California's gasoline situation and how we can all work together to
solve California's problems using California's resources as much as
possible," said NCGA Chairman Lee Klein, a corn grower from Battle Creek,
Neb.
On Monday, the NCGA
group - consisting of Klein, Illinois Corn Marketing Board member and
NCGA Ethanol Marketing Committee member Theresa Schmalshof, Executive
Vice President and CEO Rick Tolman and Colorado School of Mines Professor
and NCGA Consultant Mike Graboski - kicked off the ethanol outreach
program by meeting with California agricultural commodity groups. Attending
that meeting were representatives of the California Feed and Grain Association,
the California Rice Commission, the California Farmers Rice Cooperative
and the California Farm Bureau.
The NCGA delegation
met with California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Bill
Lyons, California Energy Commission Manager Pat Perez and California
Trade and Commerce Agency Secretary Lon Hatamiya. Thursday, the group
will meet with California EPA Secretary Winston Hickox.
"Again, in these
meetings, we talked about the tremendous opportunities that are developing
for ethanol in the state of California," said Klein. "We also began
exploring ways we can work with these influential agencies to develop
the ethanol industry in California."
Klein continued:
"I must admit that, going into these meetings, we didn't know what to
expect in terms of enthusiasm for the development of a renewable fuels
industry in California. However, in each meeting, we were greeted by
very hospitable individuals - dedicated to the good of their state -
who are not only interested, but excited about building an ethanol industry.
Each of these individuals said they were glad we are here, and expressed
a desire to utilize corn growers' knowledge, expertise and experience
in developing an ethanol industry here."
Klein noted that
the corn growers came to California as a group interested in developing
an ethanol industry not only from corn, but from other agricultural
products from which starch and sugar for ethanol production can be derived.
In the meetings,
he noted that the NCGA delegation answered questions and reassured the
agricultural groups and agency officials about prices, the ability to
meet demands and environmental safety.
Schmalshof, representing
the Illinois Corn Marketing Board and the NCGA Ethanol Marketing Committee,
said she believes the success of the ethanol industry in Illinois can
be repeated in California.
"Our group is here
to extend the offer of support, sharing knowledge and hard-earned experience
in the Midwest," Schmalshof said. "We want California farmers, government
officials and environmental groups to know they have much to gain right
here in their own back yard. Yes, corn growers nationwide will benefit,
but California has much to gain too."
Klein concluded
that, together, the California agricultural sector and state officials
can work together to achieve goal of expanding the ethanol industry
in the state in the interest of California consumers and the nation
as a whole.
"We look forward
to continuing our relationship with the agricultural groups and state
agencies as the ethanol industry becomes a viable and profitable part
of California's agricultural and overall economies," he said.
For more information
about the NCGA and ethanol, visit www.ncga.com
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