Letter to the Editor

Ethanol is solution to high prices

To the editor:

Everywhere you go these days, folks are complaining about the high price of gasoline. But no one seems to know what can we do about it. I have a suggestion: Buy ethanol.

This homegrown, renewable fuel made from corn can help lower gas prices at the pump. Ethanol-blended gasoline helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil. And ethanol helps clean up the air, extends our gasoline supply and presents a great rural development opportunity by processing corn grown right here in the Midwest.

While the oil industry has brought no new refineries into the market place for over 30 years, efforts by corn farmers to expand the supply of ethanol has resulted in over 80 new operating ethanol plants, with more on the way. The majority of these are farmer-owned and are located here in the U.S.

There are three ethanol plants in Missouri. In order to fill the increasing demand for this economical fuel alternative, new ethanol production facilities will need to be built. One such effort is Bootheel Ethanol in Malden, Mo. This plant is expected to use over 7 million bushels of corn a year to produce 20 million gallons of ethanol.

Farmers involved in this revolutionary project are to be commended for their vision and dedication in creating jobs, increasing economic development and fostering prosperity right here in the U.S., not in places like Iraq, Iran or Saudi Arabia.

GARY MARSHALL, Chief Executive Officer, Missouri Corn Growers Association, Jefferson City, Mo.