Omaha, Neb. (October 10, 2006) – Consumers can enjoy the ride now, but tumbling gas prices must not slow the movement to a domestic renewable energy policy. In July, the Commerce Department reported that America’s foreign oil bill climbed nearly five percent, to a record total of nearly one billion dollars a day.
“Ethanol is playing a key role in America’s energy future,” said Tom Slunecka, executive director of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC). “Each day, its availability to the consumer is increasing, providing benefits both to the economy and the environment.”
A national conference, Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance, will bring together key stakeholders in biofuels, wind and solar energy to St. Louis, Mo. from October 10-12, 2006.
In his State of the Union address, President Bush outlined a goal of replacing U.S. oil imports from the Middle East by more than 75 percent by 2025. Oil from the Middle East accounts for approximately 17 percent of U.S. oil imports.
In the last 12 months, ethanol production has increased 50 percent in the U.S. “I believe that by 2010, ethanol can account for up to 15 percent of gasoline usage in this country,” said Gary Pestorious, a farmer and board member of several ethanol plants. “By accomplishing this goal, we will have drastically reduced the need for oil imports from the Middle East and other areas of the world.”
Ethanol production uses field corn, most of which is fed to livestock, not humans. Only the starch portion of the corn kernel is used to produce ethanol. The vitamins, minerals, proteins and fiber are converted to other products including sweeteners, corn oil and high-value livestock feed.
About EPIC:
The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is an alliance of ethanol producers and industry leaders who have come together to spread the word about the benefits of ethanol through information and promotional programs. EPIC is a nonprofit organization and is overseen by a nine-member board of directors. Visit www.drivingethanol.org for more information about EPIC.