FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 19, 2007

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

PRESIDENT SIGNS ENERGY BILL

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.)--President George W. Bush today signed the "Energy Independence and Security Act," H.R. 6, establishing a momentous Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). An active advocate, the Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) extends sincere thanks to Congress and the president for delivering meaningful energy legislation.

"For the last 18 months, Missouri's grower-leaders have been working with our Congressional delegation to carve out a place for ethanol in the marketplace and push this legislation forward," says MCGA Chief Executive Officer Gary Marshall. "Special thanks go out to Sens. Kit Bond and Claire McCaskill, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton and the rest of our supporting Congressional delegation for recognizing the importance of this energy legislation to Missouri farmers and American consumers."

"This victory would not have been achieved without the direct involvement of corn growers and advocacy groups nationwide," continues Marshall. "Legislation like this does not happen on its own. It takes dedicated and focused effort. Corn growers should pat themselves on the back for a job well done."

The energy bill sets the stage for continued growth of the ethanol industry by calling for the use of 15 billion gallons of ethanol in the year 2015. The new RFS schedule ramps up ethanol consumption to a minimum of 9 billion gallons nationwide in 2008, progressively increasing to 36 billion gallons by 2022. The previous RFS established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 set the stage for this unprecedented success by establishing a market for 7.5 billion gallons by 2012. This year, ethanol production in the U.S. is expected to exceed 7 billion gallons, well ahead of schedule.

"The importance of this legislation is indicated by the overwhelming votes in the House and Senate in support of increasing America's energy security," says Mike Geske, MCGA president and farmer from Matthews, Mo. "At a time when we are a fighting a war in the Middle East, there could not be more significant legislation than this energy bill. We cannot grow more oil, but through improving science and technology, American farmers next year will grow 9 billion gallons of renewable fuels. That is equivalent to more than twice the amount of gasoline that is derived from oil imported from Iraq."

Creating a solid foundation for renewable fuels, the RFS establishes a pathway beyond corn-based ethanol to cellulosic-based ethanol, biodiesel, butanol and other gasoline alternatives. It also calls for increases in the automotive Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards up to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, the first congressional increase since the standards were established 32 years ago.

"With the signing of this legislation into law, Congress and the president have provided for the continuation of the unprecedented economic stimulus that the ethanol industry is creating," Geske says. "For consumers, for farmers, for our rural communities and for our nation, this is truly a great day!"