The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is mobilizing its grassroots members to our nation’s capital for the second annual “Biofuels Beltway March,” to be held March 22-23, 2010. ACE members and friends will meet with key Members of Congress, their staff, and top Administration officials to advocate for ethanol with a strong, personal message.

“There has never been a more urgent time to bring grassroots voices to Capitol Hill in support of ethanol,” said Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of ACE. “Policy issues have a profound influence over the success of ethanol, and decisions being made in Washington will determine ethanol’s future success. We want our ACE members to speak directly to these key decision-makers and show the grassroots strength of the ethanol industry.”

ACE has a diverse membership of more than 1500 that directly employ 1 million Americans and serve approximately 10 million more. ACE’s membership includes ethanol producers, farmers, lenders, rural electric cooperatives, agriculture associations, industry vendors, and more.

Last year, members from each of those categories participated in the fly-in, adding depth to an important message delivered personally to more than 70 Members of Congress.

“These people are the true strength of the ethanol industry, and our leaders in Washington need to meet with them and hear the benefits of ethanol first-hand,” Jennings added.

Many critical policy issues are on the table in DC, including:

· The Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) expires in 2010 and needs to be extended.

· EPA is still weighing whether to approve up to E15 for all cars.

· A bill is pending to provide more FFVs and blender pumps, and this legislation is needed to help us get meaningful choices such as E20 and E30 and avoid lurching from the E10 blend wall to the E15 blend wall.

· Ethanol critics continue to wage misinformation campaigns about ethanol’s land use and food price impacts.

ACE is inviting its members and friends to participate in this event. Participants will be divided into teams to attend Capitol Hill meetings arranged by ACE staff on Monday, March 22 and Tuesday, March 23. Prior to those meetings, participants will attend a morning briefing to hear from Administration officials, learn tips for taking meetings on the Hill, and refresh their knowledge of talking points on key policy issues. ACE staff will provide participants with informational packets to distribute at their meetings.

There is no registration fee to participate, but participants are asked to provide their own travel and hotel accommodations to and while in Washington.

ACE asks members to sign up for the fly-in by March 5. A registration form can be found online at ethanol.org on the home page.

For more information about the event, contact Shannon Gustafson, Director of Strategic Projects, at [email protected] or 605-334-3381 ext. 16.

“The strength of the ‘ethanol lobby’ exists outside the Beltway, and it’s time for grassroots ethanol supporters from all over the country to gather in DC to stand up and fight for ethanol,” Jennings said.

“Biofuels Beltway March” Agenda

Visit www.ethanol.org to register

Sunday, March 21

Arrive in Washington, DC

Monday, March 22

8:30am-Noon

Briefing Boot Camp

- Briefing by Beltway insiders

- Q&A with ACE Legislative Counsel Eric Washburn

- Briefing by key Congressional staff and Administration officials

2pm-5pm

Capitol Hill visits, to include some or all of the following:

- Congressional Committee Chairs & Co-Chairs

- Participants’ home state delegations

- Members of Congress skeptical of ethanol

- Federal Agencies

- The White House

Tuesday, March 23

Capitol Hill visits continued, full day