Office of Governor Tim Pawlenty

130 State Capitol w Saint Paul, MN 55155 w (651) 296-3391

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian McClung

September 28, 2005 (651) 296-0001

GOVERNOR PAWLENTY calls on states to increase use of renewable fuels, enact “e-10 by 2010”

~ In speech to meeting of Governors’ Ethanol Coalition, Pawlenty lays out energy goal ~

St. Paul – Pointing to recent spikes in gasoline prices and concern over energy issues as yet another reason to reduce America’s dependence on foreign sources of oil, Governor Tim Pawlenty today challenged the nation’s governors to enact legislation that would dramatically increase the amount of homegrown renewable fuels used in the United States.

Pawlenty called on every state to take steps toward use of at least 10 percent ethanol in gasoline by 2010 during the opening address at the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition (GEC) national conference in St. Paul today.  Pawlenty chairs the GEC, which includes 31 states as well as Puerto Rico, Sweden, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.

In a letter he sent to the nation’s governors today outlining the “E-10 by 2010” goal, Pawlenty said that greater use of renewable fuels is good energy policy, good economic development policy, good national security policy and good environmental policy.

"Our ethanol experience has strengthened our rural economy, improved our air quality and reduced our reliance on foreign oil,” Governor Pawlenty wrote.

In addition to Governor Pawlenty’s speech, the two-day GEC conference features a panel discussion on Minnesota’s E-20 initiative, an overview of the recently passed federal energy bill and a presentation by the American Lung Association.

“This conference is a great opportunity to bring leaders together from around the country to share the Minnesota story and learn new ideas,” Governor Pawlenty said.  “In addition to providing us with a domestic source of clean, renewable energy, our ethanol industry boosts the economy in greater Minnesota through stronger corn prices and hundreds of good-paying jobs.”

Minnesota has 14 ethanol plants, 12 of which are farmer-owned.  These plants have the capacity to produce approximately 450 million gallons of ethanol.  The Minnesota Department of Agriculture estimates the ethanol industry generates $1.36 billion in total economic impacts and 5,300 jobs statewide.

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The state’s reputation for leadership in renewable fuels was enhanced in May, when Governor Pawlenty signed his initiative to double the state’s ethanol use by 2013.  In addition, on Thursday, September 29 Minnesota will become the first state in the nation to require that diesel fuel sold in the state contain 2 percent biodiesel – a renewable fuel made from soybeans.

Minnesota is the nation's leader in the use of renewable fuels with highest renewable fuel use per capita in the nation.  Minnesota was the first state to require the use of ethanol in gasoline, currently a 10 percent ethanol blend, known as E-10.  Other states are beginning to follow suit – Hawaii and Montana have enacted ethanol standards, but they have not yet been implemented.

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