Here’s the straight story.  The Renewable Fuels Standard was passed in 2006 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil and to create energy security for our country.  A great side benefit was that we would replace some of that fossil fuel with renewable fuel that burned cleaner and made our cities a bit easier on the lungs.

Have these reasons decreased in importance?

The fact is the Renewable Fuels Standard has worked.  Foreign oil as a percentage of domestic consumption is down to 45 percent in 2011, from 60 percent in 2006.  In five short years, we are now using 15 percent less foreign oil than we were before.  That’s a fact that should make ALL American’s happy.

And ethanol remains an important part of our rural economies offering jobs and economic stimulus to small towns all over the state.

Independence Day nears.  Let’s start talking about what ethanol has done for American fuel independence. 

(More information available here.)

If you’d like to start talking about the benefits of ethanol on a national stage, help a local high school or college student compete in the National Corn Growers Association’s “Ethanol Rocks” video contest! 

The NCGA “Ethanol Rocks” Video Contest invites high school and college students to produce a promotional video that highlights the benefits of this fuel. Two $1500 and two $500 awards will be presented. Contestants must read and agree to the Official Rules of the contest, upload the video onto an unlisted YouTube site (directions on uploading are provided in the Guidelines), and complete the application for contest eligibility. The deadline is 5 PM Central Standard Time Monday, October 15, 2012.

For more information on this opportunity, email ethanolrocks@ncga.com.