Blunt announces ethanol support at Malta Bend

Farmers, legislators and the curious packed a massive tent on Friday for the grand opening of the Mid-Missouri Energy ethanol plant and a visit from Gov. Matt Blunt to Saline County.

MME, owned by 729 Missouri farmers, began production in February and anticipates processing 40 million gallons of ethanol each year. It is the third such facility to open in the state, with ethanol also being produced in Craig and Macon.

Blunt used the opportunity to announce his push for a required 10 percent ethanol in Missouri gasoline during the next legislative session. Such a measure would increase demand for the product within the state to an estimate of well over 200 million gallons a year.

With the addition of MME, the state will produce approximately 115 million gallons annually.

"It makes sense. It's worked in a couple of other states. It can work here," Blunt said of mandatory ethanol.

Minnesota is currently the only state that mandates ethanol be included in gasoline, recently upping the content from 10 to 20 percent.

Similar requirements have been passed in Hawaii -- where ethanol is hoped to help prop a declining sugar industry -- and Montana, but have yet to take effect.

"There is no reason to remain dependent on Middle Eastern oil when our farm families and farmer owned cooperatives can produce cheaper, higher quality fuel right here in our backyard," Blunt said. "Ethanol is good for our farmers, is good for our economy and is good for our state."

Blunt also vowed to fully fund the Ethanol Incentive Fund, as well as giving back funding to farmers from years when the fund was not fully funded. Despite what Blunt called a "very difficult" budget, the fiscal year 2006 budget will include $5.3 million to stimulate the ethanol industry, as well as $2.7 million to cover past years.

"That was the sound of music, governor," said Ryland Utlaut, MME board president.

U.S. Senator Ike Skelton was among many distinguished guests who applauded MME at the grand opening, touting ethanol as a means to rid the U.S. of its oil dependency.

"We have a real urgent need now and in the days ahead to rid ourselves of the dependence on foreign oil. This is a step in the right direction today," Skelton said.

U.S. Congressman Kenny Hulshof agreed.

"Why are we continuing to look to the Mideast for our energy needs when we can look right here to the Midwest?" Hulshof asked.

MME offered tours of the ethanol plant throughout the day Friday, as well as showcasing a E85-capable Chevrolet Tahoe donated to the Missouri Corn Growers Association by General Motors.

Contact Matt Heger at marshallbusiness@socket.net