Urges U.S. EPA to Reconsider Decision to Lower Renewable Fuel Standard; Cites Economic and Clean Air Benefits

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that he is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider a decision that would cause decreased production of renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. The U.S. EPA wants to reduce the volume of renewable fuels that must be used in the nation's retail fuel supply. This decision could impact Illinois farmers who grow renewable fuel crops like corn and soybeans, and it could also affect the air we breathe since renewable fuels create less air pollution. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

"Illinois farmers benefit because they produce the materials needed for renewable fuels, and less dependence on foreign energy sources means consumers have a more stable and economical source of fuel," Governor Quinn said. "We also help the environment through the cleaner air we get when less petroleum is burned."

Governor Quinn submitted a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy urging that the agency's proposed new Renewable Fuel Standard rule be reconsidered. The letter accompanied comments from several Illinois state agencies about the benefits of renewable fuel production to the state and the nation's economic and physical well-being. Governor Quinn also submitted a letter to the U.S. EPA as the new chairman of the Governors' Biofuels Coalition, a bipartisan group of the nation's governors pushing for biofuel development and use.

Biofuels have an economic impact of $5.3 billion in Illinois according to the Illinois Renewable Fuels Association. The Illinois ethanol industry is third in the nation with 14 ethanol plants providing 4,000 jobs that produce enough ethanol to displace 35 percent of the state's petroleum usage. Illinois has five plants that produce about 200 million gallons of biodiesel. The export of Illinois dried distillers grains, a byproduct of ethanol production, topped $1 billion in 2013, more than 20 percent ahead of the previous year; Illinois soy meal exports for fuel production were more than $215 million last year, up 40 percent.

"The claim that the Renewable Fuel Standard eliminates a source of livestock feed is a misconception," Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Bob Flider said. "The fact is that one of the by-products of ethanol production is a ready-made livestock feed called dried distillers grains. Research demonstrates these grains have a higher protein concentration than even pre-ethanol corn, making them a more efficient animal feed. The bottom line is that renewable fuels like ethanol are good for the environment, good for economy and good for agriculture."

The use of renewable fuels has also helped improve air quality. Since ethanol contains oxygen, it contributes to the cleaner, more efficient combustion of gasoline, reducing carbon monoxide emissions by as much as 30 percent. Ethanol is also a key to increasing octane in gasoline blends, a critical element in achieving the new Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency standards of 54.5 miles per gallon in 2025.

"Illinois supports the continued use of biofuels as a direct benefit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in this country," Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett said. "Reducing the use of biofuels will result in added greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere and will contradict the climate change policies currently in place."

The Quinn Administration has taken the lead in the use of renewable fuels, converting much of the state's vehicle fleet to Flex Fuel Vehicles and providing incentives for retailers to dispense biofuels. The state also offers an Alternative Fuel Vehicle rebate program, providing rebates for nearly 12,500 vehicle purchases since the program began in 1999.

###

MOLINE, Ill. (February 14, 2014) - Gergo Nagy scored twice and Thomas Heemskerk made 33 saves as the host Quad City Mallards defeated the Rapid City Rush 4-2 Friday night.  The win was the Mallards' (23-11-8, 54 points) third in a row while the defeat was the Rush's (28-18-0, 56 points) fifth in succession.

After Nagy twice gave the Mallards the lead in the first period it was Jeff Lee who put Quad City on top for good at 11:27 of the second period.  The Mallards were on the power play when Lee buried a rebound to snap a 2-2 deadlock.

With just 2:59 left in the third period, Justin Fox clinched the win by sweeping the fourth Mallard goal home between Rapid City goaltender Tim Boron's pads from the right wing circle.

Fox finally put the game beyond Rapid City's reach after the Rush had twice come from behind to even the score earlier in the evening.  Just 46 seconds after Nagy tipped in the opening goal at 4:29 of the first period Rapid City's Bob Preece tied the game from the left point.  Nagy put the Mallards back on top at 16:44 of the first with a blast from the top of the left wing circle.  Jared Brown would knot the game again at 3:37 of the second period when his drive from the top of the right circle was deflected past Heemskerk but the Rush would not beat the Mallard goaltender again.

The Mallards host the Rush again tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m.  The first 1,000 fans through the doors for tomorrow evening's game will receive free Terry Ruskowski bobblehead dolls courtesy of KWQC TV6.

Tickets for tomorrow night's game and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are in the midst of their seventeenth season their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The iWireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

-### Quad City Mallards ### -

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today made the following comment on guidance from the Obama administration designed to guide banks in serving marijuana sellers in states that have legalized the drug.

"Marijuana trafficking is illegal under federal law, and it's illegal for banks to deal with marijuana sale proceeds under federal law.  Only Congress can change these laws.  The Administration can't change the law with a memo.  While the Justice Department's memo tries to guide prosecutorial discretion, that discretion shouldn't be used to facilitate illegal conduct.  The Justice Department is encouraging an improper use of prosecutorial discretion.  This is just one more area in which the Obama Administration is undermining our system of checks and balances and the rule of law."

CEDAR FALLS - Friends of the Gallagher-Bluedorn will host Beers to You and Gourmet Too, a beer and gourmet food tasting at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center on Sunday, February 23, 2014, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at any UNItix location.  Prices are $40 in advance or $45 at the door, if tickets are still available.

This fundraiser supports programming for the 2014-2015 season; including general programming and the Kaleidoscope Series.

The tasting features local restaurants and businesses in the Cedar Valley that bring in food to pair with beer samples.

Participating restaurants and businesses include : Carlos O'Kelly's, Famous Dave's, Hilton Garden Inn, Hy-Vee, Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo, Longhorn Steakhouse, Main Street Sweets, Moment in Thyme Catering, Mulligan's, Noodles & Co., Pepper's, Peppercorn Pantry, Qdoba, Ramada Inn, Scratch Cupcakery, Taste of India, UNI Catering, Briqhouse Bar and Grill, Against the Grain, Damon's, Hurricane Bar and Grill, Randall's Meats and Catering, and Single Speed.

Beginning at 3 p.m. will be the featured guest speaker, Brett Porter, Head Brewmaster at Goose Island. Porter is responsible for creative and technical development of Goose Island's award-winning portfolio of beers. Head Brewer since May 2010, Porter was promoted to Brewmaster in April of 2011. Goose Island's third Brewmaster, Porter is poised to continue the company's growth as it sets the stage for the future, "As Brewmaster, my biggest responsibility is making sure there is enough of each of our Goose Island beers to go around."

Renowned in beer circles for his mastery of the techniques of brewing, Porter's experience at Goose Island has allowed him to focus on creativity and innovation. "Goose Island has somehow retained an approach to beer that you often only find at brewpubs," he says, "an ultimate respect for the craft of brewing. John Hall is always encouraging brewers to first do what is best for the beer. It is the kind of environment where a brewer can focus on the craft and be creative to explore."

Tasting begins at 4 p.m.

Beers to You and Gourmet Too will be held Sunday, February 23, 2014, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the door, if tickets are still available. Tickets can purchased at any UNItix location, by calling 319-273-4TIX or online at www.gbpac.org.

# # #