Nebraska Corn Representatives Tell Ethanol's Story on Capitol Hill

"Biofuels Beltway March” Allows Grassroots Supporters to Share Personal Stories of Ethanol's Impact

Ethanol advocates from across the nation came together in Washington, DC in late March as part of a "Biofuels Beltway March" to share their ethanol stories and communicate the widespread grassroots support for American Ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The conversations with policymakers were part of the annual march sponsored by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), which took place March 24-25, 2015.

Nearly 70 corn farmers, ethanol plant managers, retailers and other ethanol supporters took part in the Biofuels Beltway March. Members of the group met with Congressional Representatives and Senators from 44 states including Nebraska, Georgia, Minnesota, South Carolina and Texas.

Nebraska's corn industry was represented by Jon Holzfaster, a farmer from Paxton, Nebraska and director on the Nebraska Corn Board, and Kim Clark, director of biofuels development for the Nebraska Corn Board.

"The best lobbyists for American Ethanol are not lobbyists at all," Holzfaster said. "It's the farmers, retailers and rural community leaders who have seen ethanol's dramatic and positive impact on their communities, their economies and their future. The focus of this initiative was to share those personal stories, put a face on the industry and show policymakers—without a doubt—that the RFS is working for our nation."

"We used this opportunity to share that American Ethanol fuel blends such as E15, E30 and E85 provide greater consumer choice at the pump, create jobs across the country, improve our environment and promote cleaner, healthier air for all of us to breathe," said Clark.

While in Washington, DC, participants from Nebraska attended the Nebraska Breakfast, a 70-year-old tradition that allows constituents to engage with the Nebraska delegation and get updates on legislation and issues. Senator Hugh Butler began the Nebraska Breakfast tradition in 1943. It is held every Wednesday when both the House and Senate are in session.