Badger State Ethanol: Hosts Congresswoman Baldwin, staff for Senators Kohl and Feingold

Press Contact: Mark Graul

mgraul@arenastrategy.com

920-217-3524

Growth Energy’s “Fueling Freedom” plan to grow biofuels infrastructure key topic of discussion

Monroe, WI – Badger State Ethanol played host to Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and key staff members from Senator Herb Kohl’s and Senator Russ Feingold’s offices this past week. Baldwin and the staff members were invited to Badger State Ethanol as part of a Congressional outreach program by ethanol advocacy organization Growth Energy.

In addition to giving the staff a tour and explaining some of the advancements in ethanol production at the plant, Badger State Ethanol President Gary Kramer led a discussion on a Growth Energy proposal known as “Fueling Freedom.” The plan calls for the phasing out of current ethanol supports over time by redirecting a portion of those funds to build out the infrastructure for the distribution and use of ethanol so that consumers are given a true choice in transportation fuels.

“We wanted to make sure our elected leaders have the latest information on not only ethanol production, but ethanol policy,” said Kramer. “We believe that American consumers will choose clean-burning American-made ethanol over foreign oil if they are given a true choice at the pump. We are grateful that Congresswoman Baldwin and the offices of Senators Kohl and Feingold took the time to hear directly from us and hope we have their support for opening up access for ethanol in the market place.”

Once implemented, Growth Energy’s Fueling Freedom plan would build out the infrastructure in the United States to create a path that leads to a genuinely free market – an open market that is free of government supports. The primary elements of the plan include:

* Funds currently going to the oil industry as an incentive for blending ethanol into gasoline (known as the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit) would be redirected to provide backing for the build out of distribution infrastructure for ethanol – such as tax credits for retailers to install 200,000 blender pumps and federal backing of ethanol pipelines. This will provide Americans the access to choose ethanol in an open and free market, and would allow for the elimination of the tax supports over time in exchange for that level playing field.

* Requiring that all automobiles sold in the U.S. be flex-fuel vehicles – as many as 120 million. This requires no additional cost to taxpayers and a minimal cost (about $120 per vehicle) to vehicle manufacturers.

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About Growth Energy

Growth Energy is a group committed to the promise of agriculture and growing America’s economy through cleaner, greener energy. Growth Energy members recognize America needs a new ethanol approach. Through smart policy reform and a proactive grassroots campaign, Growth Energy promotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the use of ethanol in gasoline, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating American jobs at home. More information can be found at GrowthEnergy.org .