FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 28, 2006

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

Editor’s Note: Digital photos from today’s event are available to members of the media upon request.

ETHANOL SUPPORTERS CONVERGE ON CAPITOL

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.)—Over two hundred farmers and ethanol advocates met at the Missouri State Capitol today to show their support for increased energy independence and the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard (MoRFS), legislation that would require nearly all the gasoline sold in the state contain 10 percent ethanol.

Buses and vans brought in supporters from across the state to attend the Missouri Energy Independence Rally, which started at the Missouri Farm Bureau Building and ended in the halls of the capitol. The large crowd of farmers, ethanol plant members, business officials, community leaders, FFA students and others traveled to Jefferson City, Mo., to meet with lawmakers and push for passage of the statewide ethanol standard.

"The time for ethanol is now," said Ryland Utlaut, farmer and president of Mid-Missouri Energy in Malta Bend, Mo., the state’s newest ethanol plant. "The nation is calling for a green, growing solution to meet the needs of the motoring public. Missouri has the opportunity today to take the lead in reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil and expanding our own homegrown renewable fuel supply. This is an aggressive step we can take to move closer to state, regional and national energy independence."

Participants also heard Missouri Director of Agriculture Fred Ferrell, Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, Speaker of the House Rod Jetton, bill sponsors Sen. John Cauthorn (R-Mexico) and Rep. Bob Behnen (R-Kirksville), as well as Missouri Corn Growers Association President Terry Hilgedick pledge to continue working towards increasing renewable fuel use.

"Consumers deserve to have a voice in the gasoline they purchase. By 2008, Missouri farmers will annually produce over 300 million gallons of ethanol, a safe, affordable, cleaner burning and higher performing fuel," explained Hilgedick, a farmer from Hartsburg, Mo. "Today’s remarkable event brought together people from all corners of the state to show legislators that strong support exists for the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard. Whether it is economic, environment or energy independence, we all have something to win by passing this bill."

The MoRFS, which recently moved through both the House and Senate agriculture committees, would take effect on Jan. 1, 2008. Current legislation contains exemptions for antique vehicles, boats and aviation fuel. The bill also includes language that would allow the governor to waive the provision if the need were to arise.

Once passed, Missouri will join Minnesota, Montana and Hawaii to become the fourth state in the nation to establish a statewide renewable fuel standard. Ethanol legislation is also currently pending in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin and most recently, Idaho.

The Missouri Corn Growers Association was formed in 1978 to protect the rights of its members, build new markets for corn and increase opportunities available through partnerships within agriculture and beyond. To learn more, visit Missouri Corn Online at http://www.mocorn.org.