Coming energy debate must support corn ethanol

As Congress prepares for an Independence Day Recess to be followed by vigorous discussion of a new energy bill, the Ohio Corn Growers Association (OCGA) and National Corn Growers (NCGA) have stepped up a campaign to ensure that corn-based ethanol is part of the formula that brings our country to energy security and independence.

“A surplus of corn exists for all markets,” said Dwayne Siekman, OCGA Executive Director. “With nearly two-thirds of our oil imported, we need to focus on a broad range of domestic fuel solutions. We have a domestic supply that can be used.”

Legislation is before Congress to continue a much-needed incentive, called VEETC (a 45-cents-per-gallon tax credit) for fueling stations to blend ethanol with gasoline. In addition, there is a new energy bill on the horizon, making it an important and critical time to talk about ethanol’s many environmental and economic benefits to our country and the state of Ohio.

“Ohio’s corn industry contributes 150,000 jobs to the local economy,” Siekman said. “More than 400 million gallons of ethanol are produced in Ohio each year. Agriculture is the backbone of Ohio’s economy and requires serious consideration for legislation.”

Front and center in the campaign for energy independence is a new television ad using powerful images and common sense to stress the importance of ethanol. The NCGA ad will air starting Monday, June 28, on news programs on major cable channels such as Fox, CNN and MSNBC and local news stations in Washington, D.C.

“It’s now clear that events both here at home and abroad demand a different solution to our energy needs,” the ad states. “One that protects our national security, safeguards our environment and promotes economic growth. One answer grows in our own backyard.  Turning American corn into America’s energy. It’s renewable, efficient, abundant and safe. And it creates American jobs.  We feed the world; we can fuel it, too. Ethanol. Now is the time.”

This campaign follows closely on recent news that ethanol production has grown more efficient in the past few years, and is considered to be “energy positive” — For every unit of energy required to make ethanol, 2.3 units of energy are produced, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported on June 21.

In addition, according to a University of Nebraska report last year, ethanol directly emits an average of 51 percent less greenhouse gas than gasoline, as much as three times the reduction reported in earlier research, thanks to recent improvements in efficiency throughout the production process.

“It’s no wonder we’re saying ‘Now is the time’ for ethanol,” said NCGA Board President Darrin Ihnen. “The industry is making great progress and corn growers have another record crop in the fields so we can meet all needs.”

The advertisement is available for viewing at www.ncga.com or www.youtube.com/OhioCornGrowers.