Tom Buis moves to National Ethanol

Hoosier to Lead National Ethanol Organazatgion 02/25/2009by Gary Truitt
A native Hoosier is the new head of the nation’s newest Ethanol organization. Tom Buis has announced he is stepping down as head of the National Farmers Union to accept a position with Growth Energy, “Ethanol has brought jobs to rural America and has finally allowed farmers to make a profit from the marketplace.” The native of Putnam county said ethanol represents the economic future of agriculture and rural America, “ This is the opportunity for rural American to stem the decline of the past 80 years and provide an economic tax base for rural communities and provide profit for farmers from the crops they grow.”
Buis said the top priority of Growth Energy is to increase the amount of ethanol blended into the US gasoline supply. Currently mandated at 10%, Growth Energy says the ethanol industry can not grow if that percentage is not increased, “This blend wall is actually stifling the growth and development of renewable fuels.”

Growth Energy President, General Wesley Clark, said they are negotiating with auto makers to get their support for the change, “The problem is not with new cars but with some older cars and smaller engines.” He said the evidence indicates that there is not damage caused by increasing the blend higher than 10%. Clark added that the renewable fuels mandate in the recently passed Energy Bill can only be achieved if the blending rate is increased.
Growth Energy also announced that former Iowa Congressmen and OMB director Jim Nussle has joined their board of Directors as they prepare for a intensive lobbying effort in Washington to break down the blend wall. Clark did not indicate what blend percentage they were shooting for but said it would be substantial.Referring to his departure from NFU, Buis said, "Representing America‘s family farmers, ranchers and rural citizens has been a privilege and an honor. I‘ve had the opportunity to meet farmers from all corners of the country and am continually impressed with their optimism, hard work and dedication to feeding, and now fueling, our nation." His successor will be chosen by Farmers Union delegates at the upcoming national convention March 8-10 in Washington, D.C. Buis was elected NFU president in 2006 and again in 2008. He has been with the organization since March 1998, previously serving as vice president of government relations. Before moving to Washington, D.C., he was a full-time grain and livestock farmer in Indiana with brothers Mike and Jeff, who continue to operate the family farm.