Gulf Oil spill Underlines the need for Renewable Energy Including Biofuels, Solar and Wind

MANLIUS, Ill. – June 8, 2010 – Keith Bolin, President of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) stated today that after 50 days of oil spilling in the Gulf of Mexico since the British Petroleum disaster, it is becoming even more apparent that a new, cleaner source of renewable energy must take the place of fossil fuels such as oil.  “Solar Energy is what originally produced fossil fuels in vast quantities and solar energy is now the answer.  It has only been in recent history that oil consumption has overshadowed use of other, more renewable energy sources as the industrial age began. Through this time we have wasted vast quantities of solar energy that could have replaced this stored energy source to a great degree and with much less chance of environmental disaster such as we now face in the Gulf of Mexico” he stated.

Replaces Retiring Don Preister as NWWG Co-Chair  

April 19, 2010 ( LINCOLN) – The Nebraska Wind Working Group (NWWG) announced that Dan McGuire of Lincoln will replace former State Senator Don Preister as Co-Chair of the NWWG.  Sen. Don Preister has served as Co-Chair since the NWWG was first formed in December of 2007.  He currently serves on the Bellevue City Council. 

WASHINGTON –March 18, 2010– ACGA was a proud sponsor of the “Harvesting American Leadership” forum on March 9, 2010.  Farmers and others interested in energy legislation, gathered from around the country at the Capitol’s Visitor Center in support of comprehensive energy and climate change legislation.  ACGA leadership joined the National Farmers Union, American Agriculture Movement and Rural Votes in their support of a comprehensive bill.  

 “Cap and Trade Improves Chances of Farmers Ability to meet the
Demands of Feeding a Growing World”

WASHINGTON Jan. 19, 2010– Keith Dittrich, Chairman of the Board of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) speaking to the “ReAmp Upper Midwest Global Warming Solutions” planning meeting in Chicago last week responded to recent criticism of the cap and trade legislation currently pending in Congress. 

January 19, 2010

The Honorable Joseph Glauber

Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture

14^th Street and Independence Ave., SW

Washington, DC  20250

Dear Chief Economist Glauber,

The American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) and the Nebraska Farmers Union wishes to bring to your attention an issue of much concern that has been raised regarding your department’s February 12, 2009 Crop Production and Acreage report.   This report which was widely regarded as a significant event due to the difficulties of the past crop production year which for many still has not been completed with crops still left to be harvested.

The nation’s farmers and the United States as a whole can no longer avoid this issue from either a moral or international competitiveness perspective.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2009 – Keith Dittrich, Chairman of the board of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA), commended Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., for his tenacity and strong guidance in advancing “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (H.R. 3590), the pending healthcare reform legislation, to a decisive and affirmative vote in the U.S. Senate on the day before Christmas.

The nation's farmers and the United States as a whole can no longer avoid this issue from either a moral or international competitiveness perspective.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Dec. 11, 2009– Keith Dittrich, Chairman of the board of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA), urged Sens. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., and Mike Johanns, R-Neb., to rethink their opposition to health care reform currently being debated in Washington. Dittrich was among participants on the importance of the Senate health care reform proposal to rural Nebraska teleconference to try to urge the passage of health care reform due to its importance to rural America.

 “An increase in the ethanol blend rate is a clear example of how innovative and committed the Obama administration is to continuing the march towards energy independence.”

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2009– Keith Bolin, President of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) stated that his organization was disappointed by today’s announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency to postpone a decision to allow higher blends of ethanol in the nation’s gasoline supply, but was optimistic that a positive decision would be made on the issue in the coming year.

HASTINGS, Neb. – Dec. 3, 2009 – The Nebraska Chapter of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) elected a new slate of officers at their recent annual meeting in Hastings, Neb.