Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman visited Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island Wednesday to proclaim September as Renewable Fuels Awareness Month in Nebraska.

Joined by representatives of the Nebraska Corn and Soybean Boards, Gov. Heineman said that renewable fuels are a critical component of energy independence and energy security, while providing economic growth and vitality in the state. “Nebraska is one of the leading producers of corn and soybeans in the United States – agricultural commodities used in the production of ethanol and biodiesel, which reduce our dependence upon foreign oil,” he said, adding that ethanol replaced the need for more than 300 barrels of oil last year, while biodiesel displaced the equivalent of 38 million barrels of crude oil.

Also on hand was Olympic gold medalist Curt Tomasevicz, on behalf of the Nebraska Corn Board, who touched on the importance of the quest toward energy independence. “This isn’t just about creating a more robust domestic energy supply. This is about keeping American dollars at home instead of sending billions of dollars overseas for imported oil. This is about American self-reliance and ingenuity. This is about taking charge of our future – and changing that future for the better,” he said.

Pictured is Governor Dave Heineman (second from left) with Alan Tiemann, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board; Lisa Lunz, chairman of the Nebraska Soybean Board, and gold medalist Curt Tomasevicz.