Minneapolis, Sept 16 - Gov. Mark Dayton has signed a proclamation declaring Sept 16, 2016 as Ethanol Day in Minnesota.

In the proclamation, he said Minnesota is a national leader in ethanol production and was the first state to fully embrace the use of ethanol in its fuel supply.

"Ethanol is very important to Minnesota's agriculture and energy economies. It reduces our dependency on foreign oil, while strengthening the economies across our state. It is also more environmentally friendly than traditional fossil fuels," Dayton said. " I am proud to proclaim 'Ethanol Day' in Minnesota, highlighting what an important resource it is for our state and our country."

He noted in the proclamation that all gasoline in Minnesota currently contains at least 10 percent ethanol and that there are over 40 stations offering E15, which can be used in all cars 2001 and newer.

"Without ethanol, we would roll back years of progress by adding chemicals that produce cancer-causing emissions back into gasoline, once again becoming dependent on foreign oil and paying higher gas prices," Dayton added in the proclamation.

Minnesota is the fourth largest producer of ethanol in the country. In 2015, the state produced 1.2 billion gallons of ethanol, which in turn contributed $2.13 billion to the state's gross domestic product.

"We thank Gov. Mark Dayton for recognizing the important role ethanol plays in our economy and reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota.

"According to the University of Illinois, if all gasoline in Minnesota contained 15 percent ethanol, we would reduce an additional 358,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. That is the equivalent of removing 75,368 cars from Minnesota's roads per year," said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.

To read the Governor's proclamation on Ethanol Day, click here