Growth Energy today welcomed ethanol supporters from Missouri, Minnesota and North Dakota to Washington, D.C. for a series of meetings with members of Congress to raise awareness about ethanol and its role in keeping gas prices down, strengthening our nation’s energy security and creating jobs in rural communities.

The Missouri delegation includes Greg Krissek and Monique Garcia from ICM and Lifeline Foods in St. Joseph, Steve Murphy and Grover Gamm of POET Biorefining in Macon and Richard Hanson of Show Me Ethanol in Carrolton. The Minnesota delegation includes Rick Mummert of POET Biorefining in Glenville, Richard Eichstadt of POET Biorefining in Preston, and Chris Oehler of POET Biorefining in Lake Crystal. Growth Energy also welcomed Russ Newman, the CEO of Tharaldson Ethanol in Casselton, N.D. All have plans to visit with representatives in Congress from their areas.

“Ethanol creates badly needed jobs in rural America, provides an excellent return on taxpayer investment by keeping gas prices down, and contributes to our rural economies, and it is crucial that our representatives in Washington understand that,” said Krissek, who adds that the meetings will focus on Growth Energy’s Fueling Freedom proposal.