August 4, 2006

Sebelius strong supporter of renewable energy initiative
Goal is to have 25 percent of America’s energy from renewable sources by 2025

At the groundbreaking ceremony for Kansas’ newest and largest ethanol plant yesterday, Governor Kathleen Sebelius announced her support of the 25x’25 renewable energy initiative, an effort to have America get 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources like wind, solar and biofuels by the year 2025.

The groundbreaking was for Conestoga Energy’s 110 million gallon ethanol production facility near Liberal, Kansas.  When completed, it will be the state’s largest ethanol plant.

 “By expanding biofuels production, along with taking advantage of solar, wind and other renewable energy sources, we can meet the 25x’25 goal.  A commitment to renewable energy will create economic opportunities, enhance national security and promote a cleaner and brighter future for our nation,” said Sebelius.

Achieving the goal set out by the 25x’25 initiative will have a wide range of benefits, including reducing our dependence on foreign oil, creating new jobs in manufacturing and rural America, and reducing global warming. 

Sebelius has urged other members of the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition to join in the 25x’25 initiative.  Sebelius currently serves as chair of the GEC, a group of 35 state governors and representatives of five nations who are working to expand the production and use of biofuels in the United States. 

With the support of the Energy Future Coalition, a non-partisan public policy group, 25x’25 partners are working together to identify steps needed to meet the goal and achieve a secure, prosperous and sustainable U.S. energy future. 

In Kansas, the biofuels industry has been growing in recent years.  It’s projected that by December production of ethanol will have doubled when compared to four years ago.

Currently, seven ethanol plants produce more than 170 million gallons of ethanol a year.  The newest plant, at Phillipsburg, will soon take that figure over the 200 million gallon mark and ground recently was broken for a 55 million gallon facility in Garden City.

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