April 26, 2010
State Corn Growers Support Federal Green Jobs Act (Wisconsin Ag Connection)
Members of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association are calling for quick approval of the Grow Renewable Energy from Ethanol bill, also known as the GREEN Jobs Act of 2010. The measure was introduced last week by Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Kent Conrad from North Dakota.
The bill mirrors bipartisan legislation introduced last month in the House of Representatives. It provides an extension of existing incentives for American biofuel production for another five years, including the ethanol blender tax credit, known as the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit, and the tariff on foreign ethanol. If the law is not passed, both the tax credit and tariff will expire at the end of 2010.
WCGA President Brian Long says both bills would also extend a credit for small producers for five years and a credit for producing cellulosic ethanol.
"Ethanol pumps millions of dollars each year into Wisconsin's economy and farm families, while also helping reduce our nation's costly dependence on foreign oil," Long said. "Wisconsin's growing season is off to an early start and it's likely we once again will have a large surplus of corn in the country. The important incentives included in these bills will help us use that corn to create American jobs and ensure our country continues on the path towards energy independence."
Meanwhile, the group is calling on Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold to support the effort.
A recent University of Missouri study found that Wisconsin's economy would be sharply impacted if the tariff on foreign ethanol was allowed to expire.
