Senate candidates discuss ethanol in Grand Island

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10442570

Published Thursday September 25, 2008
Senate candidates discuss ethanol in Grand Island
By ROBERT PORE
THE GRAND ISLAND INDEPENDENT

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Nebraska's two Senate candidates, Republican Mike Johanns and Democratic Scott Kleeb, both are supportive of the nation's ethanol industry and the federal policies and incentives that have helped that industry grow.

And they agree that the ethanol industry faces some of its toughest challenges in the next three years.

The two candidates were in Grand Island on Wednesday to discuss their views at a meeting of the Association of Nebraska Ethanol Producers.

With Nebraska the nation's second-leading ethanol producer, Kleeb said, the ethanol industry has become an important contributor to the state's economy, is helping the nation reduce its dependence on foreign energy, and is a vital component of the country's national security.

Nebraska's ethanol industry is now estimated at $4 billion annually.

Johanns told the association members that ethanol is "one of the bright spots" in the nation's energy policy.

While Johanns served as the nation's secretary of agriculture, he said, the Bush administration supported the ethanol industry and helped to grow the industry to where there are now 171 biorefineries in 25 states, with annual production capacity of 10.25 billion gallons.

Johanns also said ethanol has helped reduce the nation's dependency on foreign oil.

[firedupdem]

1. I hope they noticed that McCain said he is totally against ethanol

and it's studies at the debate on friday. Why this state is red is beyond me!

[TheFarseer]

2. no kidding!!

How can any farmer vote for McCain? Don't they know corn would be $2 a bushel and farmers would all be on foodstamps without ethanol? Some people are trying to start the rumor that Obama is against ethanol too, but it's a damn dirty lie. If you hear anyone say that, don't let them get away with it.