Senator John Thune this week hosted a hearing in his state on the growing need for ethanol research and availability.

The Senate Agriculture Committee’s energy subcommittee field hearing on “The Next Frontier of Biofuels Production: Cellulosic Ethanol and the 2007 Farm Bill” included testimony from representatives of VeraSun Energy, Poet (the company formally known as Broin), South Dakota Corn Growers, South Dakota State University, Pheasants Forever, and Ceres, Inc.

According to a press release, the senator also visited the Sioux Valley Coop in Watertown to fill up on E-20 and discuss methods for providing greater access to ethanol blends like E-20 and E-85 across the country. Senator Thune highlighted his legislation that would provide incentives to gas station owners across the country who install alternative fuel pumps that give consumers cleaner, more diverse, cost-effective options for fueling their vehicles.