In honor of his commitment to renewable fuels, the Missouri Corn Growers Association has presented Missouri Governor Matt Blunt with this year’s President’s Award. This is the second year in a row that Governor Blunt received that award from the MCGA and the first time anyone has been a two-time recipient of the organization’s highest honor.

“With our support for renewable fuels and the leadership of the Missouri Corn Growers, our state has become a leader in ethanol production,” Blunt said.

In July 2006, Gov. Blunt signed legislation requiring gasoline sold in Missouri to contain 10 percent ethanol by Jan 1, 2008. Over the last three years, Gov. Blunt’s administration has worked to pay back the incentive payments that were promised to the Missouri farm families who invested in ethanol cooperatives, but were not made before he took office. He also signed an executive order and supported legislation requiring that at least 70 percent of vehicles purchased by the Office of Administration’s state fleet are flex fuel vehicles. The state fleet currently has 36 hybrid electric and 1,717 E85 vehicles.

Meanwhile, Blunt commended the Missouri Senate for its work on legislation to require all diesel fuel sold in Missouri to contain at least 5 percent biodiesel known as B-5.

“Adopting a B5 standard is good for Missouri consumers, farmers and our environment,” Gov. Blunt said. “It will improve our air. It will reduce our dependence on foreign oil. And it will help turn the soybean fields of Missouri into even greater engines of prosperity.”