Indianapolis, Ind. – Leaders in the ethanol industry met today in Indianapolis to discuss the future of the industry. Tom Buis, the CEO of Growth Energy, the nation’s leading advocacy organization for domestic ethanol, was joined by Rosalind Leeck, Director of Biofuels at the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, and Steve Pittman, Director of the Indiana Ethanol Producers Association and General Manager of POET-Portland.
Indiana makes 1.1 billion gallons of ethanol every year in 13 different ethanol plants across the state, consuming 407 million bushels of Indiana corn each year. Indiana’s ethanol industry has created 3,486 full-time jobs within the state and the economic activity the industry generated contributed $497 million to the state’s Gross State Product last year.
CEO of Growth Energy Tom Buis pointed to the differences between the ethanol industry and the oil industry: “Unlike Big Oil, ethanol is not stuck in the past, we’re focused on moving forward. With the introduction of E15 into the marketplace and increased build out of Flex Fuel pumps, American consumers will finally have choice when they fill up at the pump. And by choosing higher blends of ethanol, American motorists are choosing to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create jobs in the US that cannot be outsourced, and improve our environment.”
“Indiana Corn Marketing Council is committed to supporting the ethanol industry in our state as an important market for our corn crop,” said Rosalind Leeck, Director of Biofuels for Indiana Corn Marketing Council. “Our farmers believe that expanding infrastructure to allow consumers more access to ethanol-blended fuel is crucial to the success and growth of the industry. ICMC is funding a program to encourage fuel retailers to add flex fuel pumps that offer mid-level blends, like E30, in addition to E85 to drivers of Flex Fuel Vehicles. Through this program, 14 flex fuel pumps will be added to fuel stations across the state over the next several months.”
Steve Pittman, of Indiana Ethanol Producers Association and General Manager of POET-Portland, said “Now, more than ever, it’s time to focus on innovation and efficiency, creating less waste and reducing our water consumption while replacing even more foreign oil. American consumers deserve access to the cheapest, cleanest American-grown fuel possible, and that’s ethanol.”
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About Growth Energy
Growth Energy represents the producers and supporters of ethanol who feed the world and fuel America in ways that achieve energy independence, improve economic well-being and create a healthier environment for all Americans now. More information can be found at GrowthEnergy.org.
About ICMC:
The Indiana Corn Marketing Council was established by the Indiana General Assembly to promote the interest of corn growers in the state and manage corn checkoff funds. The Council is composed of 17 voting producer directors and 10 appointed farmer, industry, and government representatives.