Sen. Chuck Grassley today made the following comment on the Taiwanese government announcement that Taiwan plans to set an allowance level for U.S. beef that contains the feed additive ractopamine but not set a similar level for U.S. pork.  Ractopamine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is used by many U.S. beef and pork producers as a feed additive.

Supports Commitment to Renewable Energy, Job Creation

CHICAGO - March 6, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced an agreement between Rock Island Clean Line LLC and Flora, Illinois-based Southwire Company that will support wind turbine and transmission manufacturing in Illinois and create 1,450 union construction jobs under a project labor agreement in Illinois over a three-year construction period. The agreement supports Governor Quinn's commitment to growing the renewable energy sector in Illinois and continues Illinois' leadership in the green economy. The governor announced the agreement after delivering the keynote address at the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Regional Wind Energy Summit held today in Chicago.

"Illinois is a leader in the renewable energy sector, and agreements like these are helping make Illinois even more competitive," Governor Quinn said. "These cutting-edge projects will help maintain Illinois' national leadership in wind energy and manufacturing, and create good paying, home-grown jobs."

Under the agreement, Southwire will supply the overhead transmission cable for the Rock Island Clean Line project. This project will consist of approximately 500-mile overhead, high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line that will deliver 3,500 megawatts (MW) of renewable power from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota to communities and businesses in Illinois and other states to the east. Construction of the Rock Island Clean Line could begin as early as 2014 and continue over the next few years.

"We are very pleased that Clean Line has chosen to work with Southwire as they prepare for the construction of the Rock Island Clean Line HVDC line.  Such projects help to address the infrastructure needs that are critical to delivering renewable power to the population centers in the Midwest," stated Charlie Murrah, President of Southwire's Energy Division. "Transmission cable demand of this magnitude enables Southwire to continue its 60+ year leadership position in energy cable manufacturing and to contribute to the vitality of communities in which we operate such as Flora, Illinois."

The Rock Island Clean Line will enable approximately $7 billion worth of investments in new wind energy projects to move forward, which today cannot be constructed due to the lack of transmission. The project will also allow Illinois greater access to low-cost clean wind energy and will deliver enough energy to power more than 1.4 million Midwest homes.

Clean Line President Michael Skelly said, "Clean Line Energy is committed to sourcing as many of the needed materials as possible from local companies in the Rock Island Clean Line project area. We are excited to work with Southwire on a project that will power Illinois homes and businesses with clean energy. We believe it is increasingly important to invest in energy infrastructure in order to contribute to local economies, create new jobs in America and improve energy security. We look forward to continuing to work with Illinois authorities, state leaders and communities as our project moves forward."

A study conducted by Illinois State University found that wind energy in Illinois supports local economies by generating $22.2 million in annual property taxes, and supports nearly 600 permanent jobs and over 13,000 construction jobs. According to the American Wind Energy Association, there are 2,743 MW of wind generation installed in Illinois, enough to power nearly 1 million homes, and 523 MW of new wind is now under construction. Illinois was the number one state for new turbines installed in 2011, with 404 turbines erected last year. The Chicago-area is home to the U.S. or global headquarters of 14 wind developers or manufacturers, more than any other U.S. city. Illinois is also home to hundreds of companies in wind component manufacturing, supply chain, or that provide services to the industry.

For more information on Illinois' renewable energy industry, visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's State Energy Office at www.illinoisenergy.org.

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Davenport, IA  Mar 6, 2012 - Iowa and Illinois comedians will raise money and awareness for the Eastern Iowa Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with a night of standup comedy and competition in this year's Comedy For A Cause 3 - Last QC Comic Standing, April 13 at The Establishment Theatre.  Tickets for finals will cost $10, with all proceeds going to support the Eastern Iowa JDRF.

For the third year, DubStar has called upon area comedians to lend a helping hand to the Eastern Iowa branch of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  Last QC Comic Standing is the area's only LOCALLY produced comedy competition.   This year, the event injects a new level of excitement with thirty-six of the best comedians in the Midwest competing in three preliminary rounds for ten spots in the finals.  Only one can be crowned Last QC Comic Standing and receive the cash and prizes.  The three preliminary rounds begin this week at Rozz-Tox, in Rock Island, March 9 beginning at 8:00pm.  The next two preliminary rounds will follow over the next two weeks, March 15 at The Pub in Davenport, and March 22 at Racer's Edge in East Moline.

The finals will be held Friday, April 13 at The Establishment Theater and will feature the top ten from the three preliminary rounds.  The top ten will perform for local judges Tony Tone from the Red Hot Brian Scott & Tony Tone in the Morning on B100, Entertainment Editor for the the Quad City Times - David Burke, Local headlining comedian - Jim Petersen, and local retailer and JDRF parent - Bob Boyer.  These judges will narrow the field from ten to three, and then name a champion.  Tickets for finals will cost $10, with all proceeds going to support the Eastern Iowa JDRF.

"This year's event was meant to showcase the amazing comedic talent in the Midwest, and specifically the Quad Cities.  Almost half of the comics are from right here in the QC," says DubStar founder Tony Boyer.  "We also wanted to bring the local comedy community together by using venues that have supported comedy after the loss of Penguin's.  The Establishment, Rozz-Tox, Racer's Edge, The Pub, and others have been so helpful in cementing a home for local comedy."

JDRF is a leader in setting the agenda for diabetes research worldwide, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of type 1 research. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease which strikes children and adults suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump.   According to the American Diabetes Association, an estimated 25.8 million people in the United States, 8.3% of the population, have diabetes, with 7 million going undiagnosed.

DubStar is an amateur fundraising group founded in 2008 by Tony Boyer and Chris Starman; both have histories related to helping diabetics. DubStar's mission is to make a positive impact on deserving charities or groups, through fun and unique ways; "Party With A Purpose".  In February, DubStar hosted Minute 2 Win It, a recreation of the popular TV game show that raised funds for the Quad Cities Autism Center.  Additional information can be found at the DubStar website, www.facebook.com/DubStarQC.

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