WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Four-star Gen. Wesley Clark has joined an ethanol industry lobbying group, Growth Energy, as co-chairman.

The announcement was made at the Good Jobs Green Jobs Conference in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 5. During the presentation, Clark expressed confidence in ethanol's potential to create new green-collar jobs today and promote the promise of second-generation biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol, in the future.

"By expanding our use of ethanol today, we can make immediate progress in three vital areas: greater energy independence, a stronger American economy and a cleaner environment," Clark said.  "High-tech and homegrown ethanol has created hundreds of thousands of jobs over the past five years, and we can create even more. Nothing is more important in this time of economic turmoil than creating American jobs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help secure our energy independence." 

During 34 years of service in the United States Army, Clark rose to the rank of four-star general as NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe. After his retirement in 2000, he became an investment banker, author, commentator and businessman.