NEWS RELEASE

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Immediate Release:
Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Nebraska Corn Board contacts:

Nebraska Corn Board: 800.632.6761

Tremendous response to ethanol waiver, but Nebraska Corn Board urges growers to continue momentum

LINCOLN, NE — More than 4,000 Nebraska farmers have returned yellow postcards to the Nebraska Corn Board, who has forwarded them to the Environmental Protection Agency as written comments in support of the ethanol waiver request.

EPA began accepting comments on the request to increase the ethanol blend rate from 10 percent ethanol (e10) to up to 15 percent ethanol April 21. The comment period was slated to end May 21, but was extended to July 20 late last week. That gives farmers and other supporters an opportunity to still have their voices heard on the waiver request.

“We’ve been receiving hundreds of postcards in the mail daily, and we certainly appreciate everyone taking the time to submit comments in this way and online,” said the Nebraska Corn Board’s Randy Klein.

“Since EPA decided to extend the deadline, we would like to encourage those who did not have the opportunity to comment in such a short time period to now follow through and help us keep the momentum going,” Klein said.

To submit comments electronically, the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers Association have setup links on their websites: www.NebraskaCorn.org or www.NeCGA.org.

“Completing the online form takes no time at all, yet it helps provide the positive encouragement for EPA as it determines how to rule on the waiver request,” Klein said.

He noted that approving the ethanol waiver request will increase the allowable amount of ethanol that can be blended into gasoline, helping to expand the ethanol marketplace. In turn, this will create jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and expand the use of cleaner-burning fuels.

The Nebraska Corn Board is a self-help program, funded and managed by Nebraska corn farmers. Producers invest in the program at a rate of 1/4 of a cent per bushel of corn sold. Nebraska corn checkoff funds are invested in programs of market development, research and education.

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