ST. LOUIS, June 22, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauds Senate passage last night of the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007. The comprehensive energy legislation increases the 7.5 billion gallon renewable fuels standard to 36 billion gallons by 2022. Fifteen billion gallons will come from corn-based ethanol.
"The Senate bill supports NCGA's plan for rational ethanol growth," said NCGA First Vice President Ron Litterer, noting the bill passed by a vote of 65 to 27. "We have long supported a vision of producing 15 billion bushels of corn, which would allow for the production of 15 billion gallons of ethanol while continuing to satisfy our other markets. We think this can happen by 2015."
Additionally, the bill calls for:
* Studies on the feasibility of ethanol pipelines, higher blend levels and the optimization of flex fuel vehicles; * A 20 percent greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction standard for conventional biofuels that allows existing plants to be grandfathered in to the law; * Establishment of a 50 percent GHG reduction standard for advanced biofuels; * Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for automobiles to increase to 35 miles per gallon by 2020; * Establishes a goal of increasing the nation's flexible fuel vehicle fleet by 50 percent; and * Studies relating to the impacts of expansion of biofuels production on various industrial sectors, as well as an environmental impact study.
"We commend the Senate for having the vision to take the important next steps in developing the biofuels industry and ensuring a solid future for domestic, renewable energy production," Litterer added.
With the Senate passage, the legislation will now head to the House of Representatives. If the bill passes the House, both chambers will hold a conference committee to iron out any differences. The House has not indicated when it will take up the bill.
The National Corn Growers Association's mission is to create and increase opportunities for corn growers. NCGA represents more than 32,000 members and 47 affiliated state organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute to state checkoff programs. For more information on NCGA, log on to www.ncga.com.