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Thune to meet with South Dakota corn leaders

Senator meets with leaders from SD Corn Growers Association and SD Corn Utilization Council

March 18, 2005

Washigton, D.C. —  Senator John Thune will discuss the progress of his ethanol legislation with South Dakota agriculture leaders at the South Dakota Corn Office Monday.

The meeting comes after Thune’s ethanol bill passed the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, clearing the way for the U.S. Senate to greatly increase ethanol use in America. Monday’s meeting will be an opportunity for Thune to discuss what the bill means for South Dakota farmers with leaders from the South Dakota Corn Growers Association and the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council.

“We are making exciting progress towards increasing ethanol use in America,” Thune said. “We are closer to passing legislation that will dramatically increase ethanol demand, guaranteeing a good market for South Dakota farmers.”

Earlier this week, the South Dakota Corn Growers Association applauded the committee passage of Thune’s bill, which increases the Renewable Fuel Standard from 5 to 6 billion gallons by 2012, a 20 percent increase over similar legislation that stalled in Congress last year.

“The South Dakota Corn Growers Association is thrilled at Sen. Thune’s initiative in stepping up the minimum usage for renewable fuels, including ethanol, in the RFS by a billion gallons and we congratulate him on this important first step toward securing an energy policy for the United States,” said David Gillen, White Lake, S.D. producer and president of the SDCGA.

There will be a media availability at 10:30 am CST, 3/21, at the SD Corn Office, 3801 S Western Ave. Suite 100, Sioux Falls