ERM in the News

Fuel Not Food 
- (c) Mike Grant WTHI TV
2/24/2005 7:09:09 PM 

Turning grain into fuel in the Wabash Valley.

State lawmakers are looking at a bill that would provide tax credits to encourage the production of ethanol and biodiesel in Indiana.

The proposal could lead to a lot of good things in rural Indiana.

Some state lawmakers think taking the soybeans produced in Indiana and using them to fuel semis and other diesel powered vehicles is a good idea.

"Use the technology and Indiana is still an agriculture state," said the bill's co-author State Senator John Waterman of Sullivan, "Use that benefit to create jobs."

Using soybeans for more is a big hit in places like Clay City.

"It's going to be beneficial as bio-diesel will burn freer," said Betty Culler with Eel River Marketing, "We'll have cleaner air and it will help the economy."

Every year the Wabash Valley produces tons of soybeans, but in order to get the good out of them, they have to be processed, and that's where the incentive bill to give tax credits to people making biodiesel comes in.

"It's going to enhance the opportunity to put in a facility and enhance the community," said Culler.

"It will make our economy grow because the farmers will have someplace to send it," said Vincennes University Agri-Business Chair Susan Brocksmith, "People will be able to buy something from our state. It will create more jobs and in the long run, we'll be a lot better off."

In fact, some supporters call the bill a key to opening as many as two dozen soybean processing plants around the state including one in the Wabash Valley.

The matter just has to plow through the General Assembly.

This is the second time Senator Waterman has tried to get the biodiesel bill passed.

The bill died in the House during the last session when lawmakers began arguing over an amendment for gay marriage.