FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 25, 2004

SPECIAL NOTE: Audio links posted near the bottom of the page.

JEFFERSON CITY - Matt Blunt, Republican candidate for Governor and Missouri's current Secretary of State, announced his plan today to implement a statewide automobile fuel program utilizing 10 percent ethanol blended with gasoline during his first term if elected. Gary Marshall, CEO of the Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA), calls the plan "innovative and forward thinking" and pledges the commitment of MCGA leaders to see the plan implemented as it will help the environment, lower fuel costs and boost Missouri's economy all by using ethanol made from corn.

According to Marshall, "In a brilliant step of leadership, Matt Blunt has offered a bold, yet common sense solution to multiple problems facing our state. Ethanol, produced from Missouri corn in farmer-owned ethanol production plants, is the right solution at the right time. Higher fuel prices are ravaging the wallets of Missouri citizens - ethanol is the solution, providing additional liquidity to the market and reducing our dependence on foreign oil, which is nearing a record $50 per barrel due to terrorism and the volatility in Iraq and the Middle East. Missouri's two largest cities are facing significant air quality concerns - ethanol is the solution, providing a renewable, home grown fuel that will decrease harmful automobile emissions and ensure compliance with federal clean air law.

"Missouri's farmers and rural areas are challenged with job losses, a declining tax base, variable prices for their production, and shifting weather conditions - ethanol is the solution, providing an opportunity for Missouri farmers to create a homegrown product from their corn in farmer-owned ethanol plants which helps mitigate the inherent risks with farming and provides important jobs and economic development for our rural areas. Ethanol in Matt Blunt's plan is a win-win-win, for the environment, consumers and farmers. This new commitment - along with the promise Matt Blunt made a few months ago to fully fund Missouri's qualified fuel ethanol program, including the outstanding debts to Missouri's current ethanol plants - will provide the perfect boost necessary for the state's fledgling farmer-owned ethanol industry."

Marshall believes the impacts of the proposal will be far reaching. "Matt Blunt's plan will allow Missouri's existing farmer-owned ethanol industry to expand, and could mean as many as two to three new plants in the future. Missouri's farmer-owned ethanol plants are processing 8 percent of Missouri's annual corn production, and in the future we could turn well over one-fourth of our crop into ethanol.

"That will mean:  $300 million in new infrastructure to process and add value to our corn, and our farmers have already made about half that investment. The industry will also provide over 10,000 new jobs, and an additional $100+ million in local, county, state and federal tax revenues to help fund education, healthcare, and new roads, as well as over $1 billion in additional annual economic activity," says Marshall.

"Not to overstate the significance, but Matt Blunt has introduced a proposal that could change our state motto – from the 'Show-Me State' to the ‘We'll show you state!’

"This proposal shows consumers the money, shows our environment improved air, and shows our farmers hope for a bright future through adding value to our own product corn to make clean-burning ethanol.   It’s a visionary proposal by Matt Blunt and Missouri’s corn growers are pleased to support it," concludes Marshall.

For more information, visit Missouri Corn Online at http://www.mocorn.org.