NCGA: On July 4, Celebrate Energy Independence with Alternative Fuels (7-1-08)

As American consumers pinch their pennies to drive and celebrate the country’s Independence Day with family and friends this year, the National Corn Growers Association and others are calling for July 4th also to be celebrated as Energy Independence Day 2008.

“As much as we can, we need to work toward energy security and independence by expanding domestic fuel sources such as corn ethanol,” said NCGA President Ron Litterer. “Thanks to technology and hard work, our farmers have been able to meet all needs and develop new markets and promote the U.S. economy, especially in rural America.”

The United States spends more than $1 billion a day on imported foreign oil and depends heavily on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), whose members produce more than 40 percent of the world’s crude oil. OPEC also controls two-thirds of the global oil reserves. In an effort to curb this dependence, Energy Independence Day underscores the nation’s drive toward domestic renewable fuel sources.

“This summer, Americans are paying huge energy costs,” said Toni Nuernberg, executive director of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council. “We’re calling for July 4th to be Energy Independence Day, as a way to rally support for renewable fuels. We are issuing a call for unity in the fight to gain our Energy Independence.”

Last year, just seven percent of the U.S. energy supply was from clean and renewable domestic sources. But consumers can turn that tide. In 2009, using domestically produced petroleum and ethanol only, American consumers could drive for 186 days without using foreign oil.

With the current single-source energy portfolio, American consumers pay a hefty sum for their dependence on petroleum. Consumers can support Energy Independence Day by joining the charge for unity in finding clean, renewable solutions to dependence on expensive fuel. And, by combining trips, using public transportation, carpooling, and using ethanol-enriched gasoline this summer, we can reduce our draw on the fuel supply.

Click here for more information from the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.