These days corn-based ethanol is being blamed for worldwide food shortages, inflation and environmental problems.

But Nebraska Ethanol Board officials say much of the criticisms of ethanol are based on flawed information, and the industry needs to do more to defend itself.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to modify the federal requirement to blend 9 million gallons of ethanol into the U.S. fuel supply this year.

He says the mandate plays a significant role in skyrocketing grain and food prices. An EPA ruling on the petition is expected next week.

Nebraska Ethanol Board officials meeting in Kearney Saturday said their industry had been slow to defend itself. Now ethanol faces the monumental task of re-educating a public that hears mostly negative information about corn, food and fuel from ethanol opponents and competitors.