Nebraska Senate candidates displayed varying degrees of enthusiasm for corn-based ethanol at a University of Nebraska forum. The forum started with the viewing of a documentary on ethanol, co-produced by the UNL College of Journalism and NET. It looked at arguments for and against producing ethanol from corn.

Green Party Senate candidate Steve Larrick (LAIR ick) said critics promoted cellulosic ethanol as an alternative to corn as early as 1980. Democratic candidate Scott Kleeb (kleb) was more positive about corn-based ethanol, while acknowledging the country needs to use it as a starting point to cellulosic ethanol and other forms of energy. Republican candidate Mike Johanns stressed his support for corn-based ethanol. He said the U.S. currently uses about 9 billion gallons a year and at the current blend of 10-percent ethanol to 90-pecent gasoline, that will flatten-out at about 13 or 14 billion gallons. He says higher blends of corn based ethanol could increase demand.