FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 06, 2007

CONTACT: Becky Grisham, Missouri Corn Growers Association, (573) 893-4181 or (800) 827-4181

HISTORIC ENERGY MEASURE MOVES FORWARD
House Passes Legislation Containing Expanded Renewable Fuels Standard

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.)--Striving to pass comprehensive energy legislation by year's end, the U.S. House of Representatives today approved the Energy Independence and Security Act. Now moving to the Senate, this historic bill contains a measure that doubles the current federal Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) established in the 2005 Energy Policy Act, raising the bar to 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol by 2015. Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) leadership traveled to Washington, D.C., this week and hailed today's passage as a crucial step towards energy security.

"We sincerely thank the House members who support a strong renewable fuels standard for corn-based ethanol in this energy bill," says MCGA President Mike Geske. "Today's energy legislation isn't solely a corn issue or an ethanol issue or even an agricultural issue. This is a national security issue."

Accompanying Geske in the legislative discussions on Capitol Hill were fellow MCGA board members Jayne Glosemeyer from Marthasville, Paul Gross from Corder and Terry Hilgedick from Hartsburg. Chief Executive Officer Gary Marshall and Gary Clark, the organization's director of marketing, also took part in the meetings.

"With this vote, it is clear that our nation's leaders are committed to reducing our dependence on foreign oil," says Geske. "Today was a key first step. We now challenge our Missouri senators to work through any necessary changes and pass this measure on for the president's signature."

The Energy Independence and Security Act passed by a vote of 235-181 and aims to reconcile differing measures approved by the House and Senate earlier this year. The current federal RFS established a floor by requiring 7.5 billion gallons of ethanol be used in the nation's gas supply by 2012. This year, ethanol production in the U.S. is expected to exceed 7 billion gallons, well ahead of schedule.

"The ethanol industry's aggressive evolution over the last two years has shown that corn growers are up to the challenge of contributing to our nation's energy needs," Geske says. "Expanding this requirement will increase market access for biofuels in our fuel supply, enabling its clean air and rural development benefits to contribute even more to the growth of our nation's economy."

To learn more, visit MCGA's Web site at www.mocorn.org or call the Missouri Corn office at 1-800-827-4181.