FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 1, 2006

CONTACT: Becky Grisham, Missouri Corn Growers Association, (573) 893-4181

MISSOURI AHEAD OF THE GAME IN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.)—As the nation listened to a call for increased energy independence, Missouri is taking steps to make that shared vision a reality. Legislation moving through the Missouri General Assembly would help break the state's gasoline addiction by creating the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard (MoRFS).

Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) grower-leaders and industry experts testified last week in both the House and Senate Agriculture Policy Committees in support of the statewide ethanol standard. The legislation, introduced in House Bill 1270, House Bill 1027 and Senate Bill 569, would require that gasoline sold in Missouri contain 10 percent ethanol.

Terry Hilgedick, a third generation farmer from Hartsburg, Mo., and president of MCGA, stated in his recent testimony, "We can continue to subsidize the Hugo Chavez regime in Venezuela or choose to depend on the more than 300 farmer-owners of Golden Triangle Energy in Craig, Mo. We can continue to subsidize the government of Iran and their recent threats or choose to depend on the more than 300 farmer-owners of NEMO Grain near Macon, Mo. We can continue to subsidize the royal families of Saudi Arabia or choose to depend on the more than 700 farmer-owners of Mid-Missouri Energy at Malta Bend, Mo. The choice is clear."

In addition to reducing dependence on crude oil from foreign lands, the MoRFS will provide consumers the opportunity to save at the pump. According to a report from the Consumer Federation of America, gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol could save drivers as much as 8 cents per gallon.

"Now more than ever we must take strides to enhance our energy independence," states MCGA CEO Gary Marshall. "Missouri farm families have long recognized the benefits of ethanol production here at home. When you factor in ethanol's benefits to the air, our economy and our national security, this renewable fuel standard is the right thing to do for Missouri."

Missouri's three ethanol refineries manufacture approximately 115 million gallons of ethanol each year. The state's fourth plant, Missouri Ethanol, LLC in Laddonia, Mo., will grow Missouri's ethanol production to 150 million gallons by the end of 2006. Meanwhile Missouri has not built a new oil refinery in over 20 years and the state's current crude oil production is a mere 10,122 gallons per day.

To learn more about ethanol and the Missouri Corn Growers Association, call 1-800-827-4181 or visit Missouri Corn Online at www.mocorn.org.