U.S. Senate Ag Committee discusses ethanol

Ethanol Producer Magazine
September 2008 issue

By Kris Bevill
Web exclusive posted August 20, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. CST

The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee held a field hearing Aug. 18 in Omaha, Neb., to discuss ethanol and some of the issues surrounding its production. The hearing was led by Committee Chairman Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb. Testimony was given by livestock producers, economists and corn growers.

Nelson told Ethanol Producer Magazine the purpose of the hearing was to address criticisms of the ethanol industry by food manufacturers and to discuss ethanol’s role in the energy supply and how that relates to gas prices. “I believe that the hearing was successful in presenting the facts without the hype and giving us a good basis on which to continue our efforts for energy security,” Nelson said. “The hearing was balanced and gave all interested parties the opportunity to present their specific role in the food versus fuel debate.”

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