NCGA’s Noel Gives Corn Grower Perspective at 25 x 25 Meeting in Washington (7-27-06)

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Ethanol Committee Chairman Bruce Noel joined a diverse coalition of energy and agricultural leaders at a 25x25 meeting in Washington, D.C., this week to give NCGA’s perspective and discuss the next steps for meeting the goal of supplying 25 percent of the nation’s energy needs through renewable sources by 2025.

“U.S. agriculture, especially corn growers, has great potential to continue to supply significant amounts of renewable energy as part of the solution to the ongoing energy crisis this country is experiencing,” said Noel. “25x25 is one of many groups working to advance ag-based renewable energy. It is logical for NCGA to be a part of those discussions. We’re offering our insights on how to get to 25 percent from the corn grower perspective.”

Joining Noel at the meeting was Fred Yoder, representing the Ohio Corn Growers Association. Yoder echoed Noel’s statement on the benefit of diversity of members in the energy coalition.

“While it is important for a diverse set of stakeholders to be involved in development of future energy policy recommendations, it is critical that producers have a voice in any decisions,” said Yoder. “It is the producer who is directly impacted by any decisions made at state and federal levels regarding energy policies.”

The 25x25 coalition, which is endorsed by more than 200 organizations, is meeting this week to discuss a final implementation plan that will outline the steps to get to the 25x25 goal. The stakeholders will also discuss recommendations and priority issues.

Stakeholders will meet again in September to narrow down the recommendations for a final report on the implementation plan, which is expected to be released early November.