NCGA Applauds Introduction of Nussle Legislation (5-3-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauds Rep. Jim Nussle (R-Iowa) for introducing the Independence from Oil with Agriculture Act (IOWA). Several more energy-related bills are expected to be introduced in the coming days and weeks.

Nussle’s bill would increase the Renewable Fuels Standard by nearly 60 percent moving it from 7.5 billion gallons of ethanol by 2012 to 12 billion gallons. It also would expand the availability of E85 fuel by providing a permanent tax credit for the installation of E85 tanks and permanently extend the Small Producer Ethanol Tax Credit, Biodiesel Production Tax Credit and the Renewable Energy Income Tax Credit for utility providers.

“The IOWA legislation is a great step forward from this country’s dependence on foreign oil to a secure and renewable fuel such as ethanol,” said Dave Nelson, a NCGA Corn Board member. “This is very achievable with the increased production capabilities of the nation’s corn growers. We will have no trouble in meeting the challenge of 12 billion gallons by 2012.”

According to comments from Keith Sexton, president of Iowa Corn Growers Association, Nussle’s bill will make the RFS stronger and provide consumers with more options at the pump like E85.
 
“The Iowa Corn Growers support legislation to make the national RFS stronger. Many people thought a 7.5 billion gallon RFS by 2012 wasn’t possible when Congress passed the national RFS,” he said. “Now, less than a year later, ethanol use is way ahead of the national target. We know now we can do better than 7.5 billion gallons. Iowa corn growers support a permanent tax credit to help install more E85 fueling locations. It’s important consumers have ready access to E85, not just in the Midwest but across the nation. Providing a dependable, ongoing tax credit to help retail stations put in pumps is an excellent way to make E85 more widely available.”