Representatives from industry, government and public interest groups announced the launch of a nationwide public education, information and outreach campaign to explain the benefits of ethanol.

The program, Ethanol Across America, is designed to generate awareness and build support for America's only renewable alternative fuel -- ethanol.

U.S. Senators Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.)serve as co-chairmen of the new effort, which is directed by the Clean Fuels Foundation, a 501 ((C)) (3) non-profit organization and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.

"Americans want to do something to lessen our dependence on foreign oil and, at the same time, help the U.S. economy. Ethanol does both," Senator Nelson said. "Ethanol Across America will carry this message as well increase awareness of other important bio-based products that can be produced as part of the ethanol process, making the U.S. a leader in this area as well."

"This is a truly American solution," Senator Burns said. "Literally every corner of this country can have a role to play in ethanol production, whether it is municipal and urban waste in the northeast, forestry and agricultural wastes in Western states, special energy crops in the South, or grain in the Midwest."

Ethanol Across America uses a wide range of methods to educate the public, including educational publications, conferences and workshops, consumer brochures and an already-released curriculum guide for a high school course on ethanol. Ethanol Across America also will serve as an information clearinghouse by creating a national services directory database and a national speakers bureau

"In addition, the campaign will include a unique nationwide radio component called the 'Ethanol Minute' where spokespersons from all walks of life will discuss various aspects of ethanol," said Douglas Durante, director of the Clean Fuels Foundation.