NCGA to Attend Cellulosic Ethanol Summit (9-25-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is cosponsoring the Cellulosic Ethanol Summit in Washington, D.C., Nov. 13-15, to take advantage of the opportunity to state its stance on cellulosic ethanol.

The summit is billing itself as the first conference that will bring together all communities in the cellulosic ethanol value chain to discuss how to develop a new national cellulosic ethanol industry.

Vice President of Public Policy Jon Doggett will represent NCGA at the event.

“This is an exciting time for the ethanol industry, and we’re excited to have other agricultural interests join us in contributing to the U.S. renewable fuel supply,” said NCGA CEO Rick Tolman. “Corn has led the way in supplying ethanol to the U.S. consumer, and we’re happy other industries and the government are looking to other agricultural interests to complement corn’s contribution.”

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns is scheduled to deliver the keynote address, “Agriculture’s Role in Building a National Cellulosic Ethanol Industry.”

Tolman said he has heard other leaders believe NCGA is against cellulosic ethanol production. That is far from true, he said.

“Several people think corn growers are against the cellulosic ethanol industry, but we’re not,” he said. “NCGA believes the United States should lessen its dependence on foreign oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide consumers with renewable fuels. Corn ethanol and cellulosic ethanol go hand-in-hand in making that happen. It’s a partnership—not a competition.”

For more information, visit www.infocastinc.com/cell06.html or call 818-888-4444.