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Posted on  

July 3, 2001

ETHANOL INDUSTRY SETS PRODUCTION RECORD FOR 19 OF LAST 20 MONTHS

"It's time to expand fuel supplies with non-petroleum products to bring down high consumer costs," says RFA

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today announced the U.S. ethanol industry set a production record for the month of May. According to data released today, the ethanol industry produced over 108,000 barrels per day (b/d) in May of this year. This new record exceeds the previous May record of 103,000 b/d set in 2000. May's record was the 19th monthly production record out of the last 20 months.

"The ethanol industry continues to be the pacesetter in meeting America's energy needs," said Bob Dinneen, vice president of the RFA. "Even though we're on track for another record year, the ethanol industry can do more. The oil industry may lack refining capacity, but the ethanol industry is able to help. In addition to record production, our industry is committed to building new plants and expanding existing facilities. It's time to expand fuel supplies with non- petroleum products to bring down high consumer costs."

May's production puts the ethanol industry on target to produce nearly 1.8 billion gallons of ethanol in 2001. Even after record expansion of production capacity in 2000, the ethanol industry will easily set a new capacity expansion record this year. Twelve new ethanol plants are under construction and 34 current ethanol production facilities are being expanded.

"Ethanol is a growing part of our national energy supply from coast to coast," said Dinneen. "The ethanol industry is committed to working with refiners to increase supply and reduce consumer costs while maintaining the pollution reductions from cleaner burning fuels like ethanol."