Governors talk of moving beyond ethanol

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - July 13, 2008 About half the nation's governors have gathered at a conference in Philadelphia, where clean and renewable energy is the top official topic.

Some, like Texas Gov. Rick Perry, say the push to turn more corn into ethanol is raising food prices and the cost of feed for livestock.

But the current buzz is cellulosic ethanol, which is ethanol made from plant matter.

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver says he welcomes the debate as a way to reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil.

According to the Renewable Fuels Association, the nation has 134 ethanol plants in 26 states - and 77 more are under construction or expanding.