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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ag and Renewable Fuels Groups Welcome New Bipartisan Senate Biofuels
Caucus
May
22,
2003
Contact: Tracy Taylor
Grondine, NCGA, 202.628.7001
WASHINGTON (May
22, 2003)—The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and other
agriculture and renewable fuel groups today welcomed the formation of
a new Senate Biofuels Caucus. The Caucus, led by Sens. Norm Coleman
(R-MN), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), and Jim Talent (R-MO),
was created to promote the use and development of renewable fuels.
“Increasing
the production and use of ethanol and biodiesel will directly increase
fuel supplies, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. In addition,
renewable fuels promote rural economic development while ensuring cleaner
air and a cleaner environment. We are very pleased to announce the Senate
Biofuels Caucus and we look forward to working with stakeholders from
across the countryside and senators in both parties to create economic
growth and jobs in the nation’s agriculture sector through the
promotion of renewable fuels,” the senators said in a joint statement.
“The RFS has
moved a long way in the past three years, which is due in great part
to our friends on Capitol Hill— particularly the members of the
new Senate Biofuels Caucus,” said NCGA Vice President of Public
Policy Jon Doggett. “NCGA is eager to continue its work with these
members through the efforts of the caucus. We also look forward to additional
members joining the caucus to further support renewable fuels.”
Bob Dinneen, Renewable
Fuels Association president stated: “Forming the Senate Biofuels
Caucus makes great sense because renewable fuels are going to play a
major role in the energy policy of our country for years to come. We
appreciate the willingness of Sens. Talent, Harkin, Coleman, and Lincoln
for dedicating their time and energy to getting the Caucus off the ground.”
“The Senate
Energy Bill contains a significant tax incentive for biodiesel use,
and if passed, demand for this domestically produced fuel will rise,”
said Bob Metz, a South Dakota producer who serves as president of the
National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and vice president of the American Soybean
Association (ASA). “Increased use of biodiesel will benefit all
Americans because it significantly helps clean up the air we breathe
while its production contributes to the U.S. economy. ASA and NBB commend
these senators for recognizing the important role that renewable fuels
can play in reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and for realizing
the necessity of moving forward with energy legislation during what
is a pivotal time for energy issues.”
National Farmers
Union (NFU) President Dave Frederickson said, “Farmers and ranchers
are anxiously awaiting the establishment of a RFS so they may create
more value for their raw products by providing feedstocks for the production
of ethanol and biodiesel. NFU has promoted biofuels at the state and
federal levels for more than 20 years, and we look forward to working
with the newly formed Caucus to achieve a national RFS that will stabilize
farm income, improve the environment and create economic opportunities
in rural America.”
“It is gratifying
to see key senators joining together to highlight the importance of
renewable fuels to the nation's energy future,” said American
Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “The Renewable
Fuels Standard is a key component in the pending Senate energy bill
and vital to the nation's overall energy strategy. This caucus will
help our effort to secure a renewable fuels policy that will bolster
our push for energy independence, a cleaner environment and economic
opportunities for rural America.”
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The National Corn
Growers Association mission is to create and increase opportunities
for corn growers in a changing world and to enhance corn's profitability
and usage. NCGA represents more than 32,000 members, 25 affiliated state
corn grower organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute
to state checkoff programs.
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