Colorado Corn

Wet conditions may have corn farmers concerned about planting the corn crop in a timely fashion, however many are equally concerned about enough market demand to sell the coming crop and pay their bills. The Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is asking members to take a minute to write brief comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before heading to the field in support of higher ethanol blends.

The EPA has officially requested public comments on allowing ethanol blends up to 15 percent in conventional gasoline from the current 10% level.

"We need your help to make this happen. The ethanol industry in our nation is in trouble. The economic downslide causing gasoline consumption to go down, in combination with the lack of credit availability has forced many ethanol plants to idle back their production and even consider bankruptcy. An increased blend of ethanol in gasoline would create needed market availability for this idle ethanol capacity, secure a future for our nation's energy independence, and keep family farmers in business," said Rob Elliott, president of ICGA of Cameron.

"I hope all Illinois growers will send a personal comment to EPA on what ethanol means for your operation and for the state's economy," he said. Please email jackson [dot] lisa [at] epa [dot] gov to send an electronic comment immediately.

Ethanol is the second largest market for Illinois corn and there is continued room for expansion given the rapid advance in yields. Without this growing market carryover stocks will build, market prices will fall, and we become more dependent on "shrinking" government payments, Elliott noted.

*** IF YOU PREFER TO SEND A LETTER VIA FAX (HARD COPY WILL BE DELAYED IN THE ANTHRAX SCREEN), THE FOLLOWING IS A DRAFT LETTER FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION***

FAX: (202) 566-1741

April 22, 2009

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Air and Radiation Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0211

Mailcode: 6102T

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington DC 20460

Administrator Jackson:

I am writing to urge the EPA to approve an increase in the amount of ethanol that can be blended in conventional gasoline.

As a corn grower, I am proud of the role the corn industry has played in producing the feedstock for corn ethanol. My fellow farmers and I continue to produce more corn on fewer acres with fewer inputs every year. We have produced more than enough corn for our traditional customers and the dramatic increase in our yields has fueled an industry that has provided domestically produced energy for our nation. Ethanol production has not only helped my bottom line, but plants across the Midwest provide good jobs in rural communities.

The huge success achieved by the ethanol industry should not be halted due to a blend rate cap of ten percent. We need an increase that will provide an opportunity for this industry to continue to produce a renewable domestic energy source that is good for corn farmers, the environment, our national security and rural communities.

As I plant my crops for the next several weeks, I do so with a commitment to provide the food, feed and fuel to our nation and the world.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME