Gov. Heineman, Kenny Wallace and corn, soybean growers highlight ethanol, biodiesel

Gov. Heineman and Alan Tiemann with the proclamation.

In the midst of a NASCAR driver and corn and soybean growers, Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman proclaimed September Renewable Fuels Awareness Month at Husker Harvest Days yesterday.

He addressed the crowd and media, as did NASCAR Nationwide driver Kenny Wallace, Nebraska Corn Board chairman Alan Tiemann and Nebraska Soybean Board chairwoman Lisa Lunz.

The proclamation was coordinated through the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Soybean Board, who said they hosted the event to recognize the contributions of Nebraska farmers and agribusinesses to the nation’s renewable fuel supply.

Lunz, Wallace, Gov. Heineman and Tiemann (at mic).

“Nebraska’s renewable fuels sector contributes to local communities by providing good paying jobs for thousands of Nebraskans,” said Heineman. “Renewable fuels are a critical component of becoming energy independent and by providing an alternative to imported oil. We are fortunate to have a strong biofuels industry with thousands of Nebraskans working to fuel America.”

One of Wallace’s sponsors this year is American Ethanol, which is supported in part by Nebraska farmers through the Nebraska Corn Board.

“I’ve been across the country meeting farmers and it is really exciting to see their commitment to ethanol and all renewable fuels,” Wallace said. “Biofuels bring so much good to rural communities and they keep more of our energy dollars in this country where they belong. I’m proud to promote ethanol and really appreciate knowing that there’s ethanol in every tank when we’re on the track each week.”

Wallace addressing the crowd.

In a Grand Island Independent article, Wallace said, "Biofuels bring so much good to rural communities, and they keep more of our energy dollars in this country where they belong. I'm proud to promote ethanol and really appreciate knowing that there's ethanol in every tank when we're on the track each week."

NASCAR switched to Sunoco Green E15, a 15 percent ethanol fuel, for races beginning this year.

“Across the country ethanol provides more than $3 billion in local, state and federal tax revenues and provides thousands of jobs, including more than 2,000 in small-town Nebraska,” said Tiemann, a farmer from Seward. “At the same time, ethanol plants produce millions of tons of the livestock feed distillers grains, which are widely used not only in the United States but around the world.”

Tiemann noted that ethanol production across the country is at an all time high and surpassed 13.2 billion gallons last year.

Wallace signing autographs.

Lunz, a farmer from Wakefield, Neb., said soy biodiesel is seeing new and exciting uses across the country, including in BioHeat, a heating oil blended with biodiesel used to heat millions of homes and businesses, primarily in the Northeast.

“The increased industrial demand of soybean oil for biodiesel, including for BioHeat, ultimately increases the supply of the feed ingredient soybean meal. That’s good for livestock producers right here in Nebraska,” she said. “We thank the Governor for his support of Renewable Fuels and Nebraska agriculture and we know that by working together, the future looks brighter, cleaner and greener for Nebraskans.”

While at Husker Harvest Days, Wallace took time to sign autographs and pose for photos with fans.

Below is the video from NTV, but for additional reports on the event, go to Nebraska Farmer, KHAS-TV and Nebraska Central News (10/11).