WASHINGTON, DC – Growth Energy, the leading voice for the U.S. ethanol industry, today welcomed ethanol supporters from Missouri, Minnesota and North Dakota to Washington, D.C. for a series of meetings with members of Congress.
During their visit, the Missouri delegation will meet with the offices of Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Reps. Vicky Hartzler (MO-4), Russ Carnahan (MO-5), Sam Graves (MO-6), Billy Long (MO-7), Jo Ann Emerson (MO-8) and Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9). The Minnesota delegation will meet with the offices of Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Al Franken and Reps. Tim Walz (MN-1), John Kline (MN-2), Erik Paulsen (MN-3), Michele Bachmann (MN-6), Colin Peterson (MN-7) and Chip Cravaack (MN-8). The member from North Dakota will meet with the offices of Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D) and Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and Rep. Rick Berg (N.D.-At Large).
During these meetings, ethanol supporters will raise awareness about ethanol and its role in keeping gas prices down, strengthening our nation’s energy security and creating jobs in rural communities.
“We are pleased that so many members made the trip to Washington to talk to their members of Congress about ethanol’s contribution to the state and our country,” Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis said. “These visits are an important opportunity for the lawmakers to hear directly from their constituents about the issues that matter most.”
The Missouri delegation includes Greg Krissek and Monique Garcia from ICM and Lifeline Foods in St. Joseph, Steve Murphy and Grover Gamm of POET Biorefining in Macon and Richard Hanson of Show Me Ethanol in Carrolton. The Minnesota delegation includes Rick Mummert of POET Biorefining in Glenville, Richard Eichstadt of POET Biorefining in Preston, and Chris Oehler of POET Biorefining in Lake Crystal. Growth Energy also welcomed Russ Newman, the CEO of Tharaldson Ethanol in Casselton, N.D.
The meetings will focus on Growth Energy’s proposal to reform the transportation market by developing the infrastructure to deliver ethanol to consumers. By reforming the market for alternative fuels, ethanol can strengthen the economy and improve the environment.
“Ethanol creates badly needed jobs in rural America, provides an excellent return on taxpayer investment by keeping gas prices down, and contributes to our rural economies, and it is crucial that our representatives in Washington understand that,” Krissek, a Growth Energy board member, said. “During these meetings, we’ll describe our Fueling Freedom Plan, which phases out federal subsidies in exchange for government support of expanded ethanol infrastructure.”
###
About Growth Energy
Growth Energy is a group committed to the promise of agriculture and growing America’s economy through cleaner, greener energy. Growth Energy members recognize America needs a new ethanol approach. Through smart policy reform and a proactive grassroots campaign, Growth Energy promotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the use of ethanol in gasoline, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating American jobs at home. More information can be found at GrowthEnergy.org.