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Governor Heineman declares September Renewable Fuels AwarenessNebraska Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman has declared September as Renewable Fuels Awareness Month in Nebraska. The governor signed the proclamation during a Aug. 30 news conference at the Nebraska State Fair. The proclamation states that biofuel production is Nebraska's fastest-growing industry and cites numerous economic development and environmental benefits resulting from the use of biobased fuels. According to the proclamation, those benefits include "strengthening our agricultural sector by increasing the demand for corn and soybeans, improving net farm income, improving our rural economies, creating new renewable fuels industry-related jobs, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, improving our energy security and reducing pollutants". Stan Boehr of Henderson, vice-chair of the Nebraska Corn Board thanked the governor for his support of the renewable fuels industry in Nebraska. Boehr called the development of the ethanol industry in Nebraska "the most significant rural development initiative since the REA brought electricity to the farm". Currently there are 17 ethanol plants operating in the state. By the end of 2008, Boehr said, that number could be between 25 and 30. Once that happens, ethanol production will be in the two billion gallon per year range, and corn demand for ethanol could reach 800 million bushels, Boehr said. Recent figures provided by the Nebraska Public Power District show that the ethanol industry in Nebraska has created more than 700 permanent jobs at ethanol plants. An additional 1,500 have been indirectly created in related industries, and from increased economic activity created by the ethanol industry. "Ethanol is a shining star in rural economic development, adding tax revenue and jobs, and adding value to the corn we produce," Boehr said. "But this success story hasn't happened overnight. Nebraska's corn producers have been working for more than 30 years to develop the ethanol industry in this state. They have worked tirelessly to promote increased usage of ethanol. And they have helped finance the development of much of the ethanol industry in Nebraska." To date, Boehr said, Nebraska corn growers in general have invested more than 90 million dollars towards the ethanol industry, through special checkoffs to support ethanol production incentives in our state. The state of Nebraska has invested a similar amount to the incentives. "In addition, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, the Nebraska Ethanol Board and the Nebraska Corn Board have all committed an enormous amount of effort to develop this industry over the decades," Boehr said. "That commitment is now paying dividends for our corn producers, our rural communities and the Nebraska economy. And no other state is in a better position to transform ethanol, livestock and corn production into decades of economic prosperity than Nebraska." 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 ? of a cent per bushel of corn sold. Nebraska corn checkoff funds are invested in programs of market development, research and education. Date: 9/21/07
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