New Survey Shows Overwhelming Number of Nebraskans View Ethanol as Critical to Economic Growth, Agriculture, and the Environment
New Survey Shows Overwhelming Number of Nebraskans View Ethanol as Critical to Economic Growth, Agriculture, and the Environment
AMES, Iowa (May 5, 2022) – A broad, bipartisan majority of Nebraskans support the ethanol industry and believe it is critical to the future of agriculture, the health of the state’s economy, and improving environmental outcomes, according to a new survey of registered voters in 14 counties where Summit Carbon Solutions is proposed to operate in the state.
Key findings of the survey along with a partisan breakdown of the results are as follows:
• 96% of those surveyed believe the ethanol industry is important for Nebraska farmers and the state’s agricultural industry.
o Republican: 96%
o Nonpartisan: 97%
o Democrat: 94%
• 94% of respondents believe the ethanol industry is important for the state’s economy.
o Republican: 96%
o Nonpartisan: 92%
o Democrat: 90%
• 75% of those surveyed believe ethanol is good for the environment.
o Republican: 77%
o Nonpartisan: 70%
o Democrat: 74%
• 89% of respondents believe the ethanol industry has a positive impact on the state of Nebraska.
o Republican: 90%
o Nonpartisan: 91%
o Democrat: 86%
“This survey confirms that Nebraskans believe ethanol is not only an essential part of the state’s economic landscape today but a critical industry for our future as well,” Jake Ketzner, Summit Carbon Solutions’ Vice President of Government and Public affairs, said. “Summit Carbon Solutions was formed because we share this belief. If approved, our carbon capture and storage project will open new economic opportunities for ethanol producers across the state and strengthen the marketplace for corn growers.”
Summit Carbon Solutions is a partnership with 32 ethanol plants across the Midwest, including six in the state of Nebraska. The project will help these partners realize a 30-point drop in the carbon intensity score of the ethanol their facilities produce and allow them to access the growing number of markets that pay a premium to purchase low carbon fuels.
In a clear contrast with the overwhelming majority of Nebraskans, several groups opposed to the Summit Carbon Solutions project want to end ethanol production even if it harms Nebraska’s economy, farmers, and the broader agricultural industry that is so vital to the state. As one organization noted in its recent filing with the Iowa Utilities Board, “Sierra Club believes that the use of ethanol serves to extend our reliance on fossil fuels, thus contributing to climate change.”
“Summit Carbon Solutions is proud to stand on the side of Nebraskans who almost unanimously believe that ethanol is critical to Nebraska’s economy, our farmers, and the environment,” Ketzner said. “In addition to bolstering ethanol, this project will generate tens of millions of dollars in new property tax revenues that counties can use to support local schools, hospitals, public safety officials, and more.”
Robert Blizzard of Public Opinion Strategies conducted the poll by surveying 400 registered voters in 14 counties where Summit Carbon Solutions is proposed to operate in Nebraska using a mix of cell phone and landline interviewing. The poll was conducted from April 30 to May 3, 2022 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9%.
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Summit Carbon Solutions seeks to lower greenhouse gas emissions by connecting industrial facilities via strategic infrastructure to store carbon dioxide safely and permanently in the Midwestern United States. For more information, visit: www.SummitCarbonSolutions.com.
Contact:
Jesse Harris
515-240-2104
jharris@summitcarbon.com
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