WASHINGTON, D.C. — Governor John Hoeven today announced that members of the Governors' Ethanol Coalition (GEC), at a meeting this week with Congressional leaders and oil, air quality and agricultural groups, reaffirmed a course of action leading to the increased use of renewable fuels in the nation's gasoline. The Coalition and its partners endorsed legislation authored by Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel and South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle to establish a national renewable fuels standard.

"Congressional support for this bill is even stronger this year than last," North Dakota Governor and Coalition Chair John Hoeven said. "Working together with our partners, I am optimistic the bill will pass this year."

Hoeven said a number of governors met with senators and others on Monday, February 24, to discuss strategies for the passage of the legislation. Representatives from the American Petroleum Institute, National Corn Growers Association, Renewable Fuels Association, Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management participated in the Coalition meeting with governors interested in ethanol industry growth.

A renewable fuels standard could create thousands of new jobs, and use an additional billion bushels of grain for ethanol production, while increasing the nation's independence from foreign petroleum, according to Hoeven.

The renewable fuels standard would:

In 2002, the nation used about 2.3 billion gallons as a gasoline additive. "Especially now, we need to promote energy policies that will not only stimulate our economy, but also enhance the nation's security. There is no better way to do that than by adding value to America's natural resources and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Increasing ethanol use accomplishes all of those goals," Hoeven said.

The 29-member Governors' Ethanol Coalition also includes representatives from Brazil, Canada, Sweden and Mexico. The organization's goals are to increase ethanol use, decrease the nation's dependence on imported energy sources, improve the environment and stimulate the national economy.