During his recent policy keynote address via video at the National Ethanol Conference, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty called for aggressive action to promote ethanol use. "In January, I became chair of the Governors' Ethanol Coalition," Pawlenty said. "I am using that forum to raise the visibility of the E20 option and work for federal energy policies that benefit expanded production and use of renewable energy. My immediate goal as GEC chairman will be to do what I can to get all 50 states in the nation to E10 as soon as possible."

Minnesota has 14 ethanol plants currently producing more than 400 million gallons of ethanol and three new plants under construction. All 17 plants will consume approximately 200 million bushels of Minnesota corn, 20 percent of the state's corn supply.