NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN CORN GROWERS FOUNDATION
For Immediate Release
 Contact: Dan McGuire (402) 489-1346
National Survey Shows Corn Producers Overwhelmingly Support Wind Energy-- Energy Title, State Incentives and Production Tax Credits Have Strong Backing
 

WASHINGTON, DC, April 21, 2003---In their just completed national survey of corn producers, the American Corn Growers Foundation (ACGF) found a strong majority level of support among farmers on a range of important wind energy issues. The survey, conducted by Robinson and Muenster Associates, Inc. of Sioux Falls, South Dakota during the first half of April 2003, polled 511 farmers in the fourteen states that represent 68.2 million acres, or eighty six percent (86%) of the 79 million acres that will be planted to corn in 2003, based on the U.S.D.A. National Agricultural Statistics Service. The ACGF random, scientific survey has a margin of error of +/- 4.4% at the ninety-five (95%) confidence level. The largest number of farmers surveyed was in Iowa, which represents 16% of the prospective 2003 corn plantings. Following this initial survey summary release, more comprehensive data will be made available on the ACGF website.

“93.3% of nation’s corn producers support wind energy, 88.8% want farmers, industry and public institutions to promote wind power as an alternative energy source and 87.5% want utility companies to accept electricity from wind turbines in their power generation mix,” said Dan McGuire, ACGF Program Director and project director of the organization’s Wealth From The Wind program. “It’s great to see such a strong majority of farmers in agreement on these critically important wind energy and economic issues.”

On federal-level issues, the survey shows that 82.2% of corn producers support the Energy Title in the farm law and want to see that program continued and funded at the current $23 million level or greater for the purpose of renewable energy loans and grants.

“77.9% believe farmers should be offered financial incentives such as production tax credits and a strong majority want to see such state-level incentives to encourage the development of wind energy,” added McGuire. “When provided the example of the wind energy incentives put in place by the Minnesota Legislature, the resulting expansion in the number of wind farms and then, when subsequently asked if other state legislatures should follow Minnesota’s lead and pass similar wind power incentives, 77.7% said yes.”

The survey also found strong support on these national policy issues: 76.7% agreement on the need for the country to be more energy independent for national security reasons and the belief that Congress and the Administration in Washington, DC should make a major commitment toward the promotion of wind energy; 82.2% agree that rural electric cooperatives should help support and promote wind energy; and, 75.7% want federal action to encourage upgrading of existing electric transmission lines and construction of new lines as a ‘farm-to-market’ road to deliver electricity from wind farms to consumers.

Survey questions and results are shown on the two pages following this news release.
Questions and Survey Results
 
  • The farm law that was passed in 2002 included and Energy Title for the first time. That program provides 23 million dollars in loans and grants to farmers, ranchers and small business for the purpose of purchasing renewable energy systems, including wind turbines. Do you support continuing this renewable energy program with that amount or a greater level of funding for that same purpose?
82.0% Yes
8.6% No
9.2% Don't Know
0.0% Refused
 
  • Do you support the development of wind energy?
93.3% Yes
4.1% No
2.5% Don't Know
0.0% Refused
 
  • Would you be willing to invest in wind power projects?
50.7% Yes
33.7% No
15.7% Don't Know
0.0% Refused
 
  • Which of the following do you believe is the best way for farmers to reap the financial rewards from wind power?
37.8% By leasing a small portion of their farm to a power generator for the placement of wind turbines.
31.1% By investing in a farmer-owned wind power cooperative
12.9% By purchasing a small wind turbine for your own individual on-farm use
7.6% By owning and placing large scale wind turbines on your own land
9.8% Don’t Know
0.8% Refused
 
  • Do you believe wind energy can provide additional farm income to your farming operation?
59.3% Yes
30.1% No
4.3% Don't Know
0.0% Refused
 
  • Should farmers, industry and public institutions promote wind power as an alternative energy source?
88.8% Yes
6.8% No
4.3% Don't Know
0.0% Refused
 
  • Would you be more inclined to invest in wind energy because it produces no harmful emissions and helps to clean the environment?
81.2% Yes
14.3% No
4.5% Don't Know
0.0% Refused
 
  • Should farmers be offered financial incentives such as production tax credits through government programs as one way to encourage wind energy development?
77.9% Yes
15.7% No
6.3% Don't Know
0.2% Refused
 
  • With energy prices at very high levels and given the need for the country to become more energy independent for national security reasons, do you believe the Congress and the Administration in Washington, DC should make a major commitment toward the promotion of wind energy?
76.7% Yes
15.7% No
7.4% Don't Know
0.2% Refused
 
  • In addition to the federal production tax credits for wind energy, the Minnesota Legislature put a state-level incentive in place to encourage the development of wind energy power. As a result Minnesota has greatly expanded its number of wind farms. Should other state legislatures follow Minnesota’s lead and pass similar wind power incentives?
77.7% Yes
9.2% No
12.9% Don't Know
0.2% Refused
 
  • Do you agree or disagree that rural electric cooperatives should help support and promote wind energy?
82.2% Yes
13.9% No
8.4% Don't Know
0.2% Refused
 
  • Members of Congress from the Midwest and other regions are pushing for federal action to encourage the upgrading of existing and the construction of new electric transmission lines as a “farm-to-market” road to better market the power generated from wind turbines and wind farmer in rural areas. The American Corn Growers Association has endorsed this action and told Congress that new transmission lines are desperately needed in rural America. Do you agree or disagree that Congress and the federal government should move ahead quickly to encourage new transmission capacity as away to move electric power from wind farms to consumer markets?
75.7% Yes
13.9% No
10.0% Don't Know
0.4% Refused
 
  • States with laws requiring utility companies to accept electricity from wind turbines onto the power grid are seeing more successful wind power development. Do you agree or disagree that electric utility companies should be required to accept electricity generated by wind farms as part of their power generation mix?
87.5% Yes
6.3% No
5.9% Don't Know
0.4% Refused