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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Minnesota Producers Receive $748k to Develop Next Generation of Biofuels

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Monday, January 24, 2011   

ST. PAUL, Minn. - U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn) has announced that seven Minnesota biofuel producers will receive nearly $748,000 to expand advanced biofuel production. Franken says the funding will help create jobs, reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil and take the country into the next generation of biofuels. He sees Minnesota's leadership with corn ethanol as a great transition point.

"It's good for Minnesota, it's good for corn producers, it's good for our balance of trade on fuel. There are all kinds of good reasons for corn ethanol, but we're trying to transition to cellulosic and other, more advanced, biofuels. That's what this funding is about."

The bulk of the funding will go to the Minnesota Soybean Processors, Cargill and Corn Plus. Smaller grant recipients include FUMPA Biofuels, Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company, West River Dairy and Riverview. Authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill, the funds will be administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels.

Doug Peterson, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union, says the announcement is good news, but not surprising, considering the state's history of innovation in developing corn ethanol and its strong voice in advocating for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) change to allow E15 gasoline for certain vehicles at the pump.

"This is a renewable, homegrown economy that's going to provide jobs. It's going to provide national security. It's going to be clean, it's going to be green and we think it's the right step forward."

Investment in the ethanol industry has a history of paying off in Minnesota, Peterson adds, and he's optimistic about the state's role in developing cellulosic biofuels.

Franken, too, is confident Minnesota is in place to lead the charge.

"Minnesota has been a leader in biofuels. If anyone is going to take us into the next generation of biofuels, I think it's going to be Minnesotans. Hopefully, this funding will help speed that."



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