FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:
Mimi Ricketts, NCGA, 636-733-9004

NCGA Calls House Passage of Energy Bill with RFS a Major Step Forward

ST. LOUIS, April 21, 2005 --The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is calling today’s 249-183 House passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 a major step forward in the legislative process to get an energy bill to the president’s desk this year. The comprehensive energy legislation includes a renewable fuels standard (RFS) that calls for 5 billion gallons of renewable fuels to be blended into the nation’s transportation fuel supply by 2012.

“Today’s action by the House is a critical step in having an energy policy enacted this year,” said NCGA First Vice President Gerald Tumbleson. “We thank Chairman Joe Barton (R-Texas) for his diligence in securing a balanced bill that addresses our energy security, stimulates economic growth, creates thousands of jobs and highlights the importance of renewable fuels for our future.”

In addition to a 5-billion-gallon RFS, provisions in the bill include:

--Clarifying the federal government’s role in siting liquefied natural gas facilities and providing for an efficient approval process;

--New domestic oil and gas exploration and development, and streamlining permitting for natural gas projects on federal lands;

--Creating and publishing a list of existing boutique fuels by the Environmental Protection Agency in order to establish a cap;

--Authorizing the Department of Energy to establish “refinery revitalization zones” in areas with an unemployment rate 20 percent above the national average, as well as either a closed refinery or 50 or more layoffs in a major manufacturer;

--Promoting clean coal technology and providing incentives for renewable energy such as biomass, wind and solar.

Tumbleson noted that although the RFS is important to corn growers, the provisions that expand natural gas supplies and other energy sources are also vital to the industry.

“Farmers have already felt adverse effects in their production costs from the continual increase in natural gas prices,” he said. “Consumers are feeling the pinch at gas stations across the country. This country needs a solution that will expand our domestic sources of energy while also expanding our economy. President Bush said very clearly this week that he wants a comprehensive energy bill on his desk for signing by the time Congress recesses this summer. Today’s House action brings us a step closer to that reality.”

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ST. LOUIS OFFICE

WASHINGTON D.C. OFFICE