Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN) recently spent some time learning more about ethanol production and its benefits to Minnesota and the country. He met with the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, and during the meeting learned about the latest ethanol technologies along with hearing about some of the challenges facing the state’s ethanol industry and the entire industry.

“Minnesota and America’s heartland are prime locations for several emerging technologies that provide renewable energy, like ethanol, and reduce our foreign dependence on oil,” commented Rep. Emmer after his meeting. “Congress needs to remove bureaucratic barriers to competition and give consumers the freedom to choose what’s best for them. What’s good for Minnesota is good for the country and this is one way to benefit our great nation.”

Rep. Emmer also learned about the importance of the ethanol industry to the state’s economy. Today Minnesota is the fourth largest ethanol producer in the U.S., and according to a recent economic study conducted by ABF Economics, the state’s ethanol industry generated $7.37 billion in gross sales for the state in 2015.

“We’d like to thank Congressman Emmer for meeting with us to better understand Minnesota’s ethanol industry and his support for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS),” said Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association Executive Director Tim Rudnicki. “Thanks to the RFS, the ethanol industry contributed $2 billion to Minnesota’s economy last year and supported over 18,000 jobs in the state.“