Congressman Joe Donnelly toured the POET ethanol plant at Alexandria in Madison County on Wednesday as a way to highlight his support for ethanol and also the differences between him and his opponent Richard Murdock. Donnelly told HAT he was impressed with the facility, “The technology just keeps getting better and better.” He said the plant buys corn from a 7 county area providing an economic boost to the entire region. The behind-the-scenes tour and discussion about ethanol was led by Dave Hudak, the General Manager of the Alexandria plant and Secretary of the Indiana Ethanol Producers Association. .
Donnelly said, in addition, ethanol provides the US with energy security, “We are fortunate to have such a vibrant industry in this state that benefits so many Indiana farmers, producers at facilities like this one, and families at the pump. We need to go all-in on American energy production so we stop sending our hard-earned tax dollars overseas. Indiana can be a leader in this effort with our ethanol production.”
GOP candidate Richard Mourdock is on record questioning ethanol’s value. Donnelly told HAT he is a solid supporter of ethanol, “I just don’t understand how Richard Mourdock can say ethanol costs more.” According to the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, 3,500 Hoosier jobs are dependent upon the state’s ethanol industry, and the industry generates $3.4 billion in economic activity in Indiana every year. “While Richard Mourdock chooses to spread misinformation about ethanol, I am proud to be here today to recognize the importance of this industry to middle-class families and rural communities across our state,” Donnelly said.
Donnelly said he would work to remove the special tax breaks the oil industry gets to put them on a level playing field with renewable energy sources, “I strongly believe we need to set partisanship aside to get things done for Hoosier middle-class families, which is why I wholeheartedly support the ethanol industry.”
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