From the Road: Journal Entries from the Campaign Trail

This is my Club for Growth
2006-06-06

Standing in the middle of a Panhandle canola field, Scott and Sen. Bob Kerrey kicked of a three-city tour June 2 with a call for Nebraska to lead the way to energy independence.

"Take a moment to look out there: you are also looking at the future of American Energy Independence, grown right here in Nebraska," Scott said as supporters and media representatives looked on.

Photo of Scott addressing media

The canola field was one of many research plots at the Panhandle Agriculture Research and Extension Center, one of four University of Nebraska agricultural research centers currently operating in the state.

Canola and brown mustard are being increasingly used around the world to make biofuels to replace fossil fuels. They are ideal for growing in the more arid conditions of the high plains of Nebraska. They offer panhandle farmers a more efficient and profitable way to participate in the growing market for biofuels.

But the markets are still in their infancy. Research and investment are needed to fully develop these markets and make strides toward energy independence, Scott and Sen. Kerrey argued Friday.

"It’s the basis for us being able to produce income and jobs and a healthy economy," Kerrey said. "If we don’t continue to support this research, Nebraska will suffer tremendous losses in our overall economic output, jobs and the amount of opportunity our young people have in this state."

"This is our Club for Growth as a state," Scott said of the Panhandle Extension Center -- a direct reference to the fact that Adrian Smith has taken almost $400,000 from the out-of-state interest group Club for Growth, a group that opposes farm subsidies, saying they "waste taxpayer dollars."

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