For the first time ever an Indianapolis 500 winner spoke at the National Press Club today. Bobby Rahal was the featured speaker at today’s luncheon with the press. His topic was the “The Greening of Racing: Ethanol Powers the Indianapolis 500.″ He was a winner again today as he spoke and answered questions for about an hour in front of …
Why Monsanto Supports EPIC
One of the people I met at the Kansas Speedway this weekend was Troy Hobbs, Monsanto Corn Biofuels Strategy Lead (left). He’s pictured here with EPIC Executive Director in front of the Rahal-Letterman hospitality tent on race day. Troy explains why Monsanto has supported EPIC since it started. He believes that it’s very important to educate the public about the …
Jeff Simmons Qualifies at 210.994
The truck that transports Team Ethanol got a new paint job for this season. I hadn’t seen it before today. Looks pretty slick to me. It’s the end of the day for me here at Kansas Speedway. The Indy car qualifying is over now and Jeff Simmons got through it okay. His qualifying time is 210.994 MPH. That ethanol fuel …
IRL Loves Ethanol Public Relations
On hand at the pump promotion for ethanol in Kansas City yesterday was Amy Konrath (pictured to the right of two representatives of Rahal-Letterman Racing). Amy works in public relations for the Indy Racing League. I thought it would be interesting to hear her perspective about how the relationship between the IRL and Team Ethanol has benefited the League. She …
Jeff Simmons Feeling Confident
Although it was a cool morning yesterday, Indy car driver Jeff Simmons was on location at a pump promotion filling up gas tanks with gasoline blended with ethanol. I interviewed Jeff about how he thinks these localized pump promotions work in terms of helping with consumer awareness and education. He thinks they’re very beneficial. It helps when a lot of …
A Snappy Pump Promotion
It’s time for another Indy race. This time in Kansas City. It’ll be the Kansas Lottery Indy 300 this Sunday. This morning though the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council put on another pump promotion at the Snappy Store downtown. Pictured here are Snappy Stores owner, Ken Suter (left), and Jeff Simmons, Team Ethanol driver. They’re posing next to the new …
Bioenergy and Rural Development
Top international experts meeting in Rome last week agreed that bioenergy could be a positive force for rural development According to a news release from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) it was the first time that experts in bioenergy, food security and the environment came together to discuss the environmental and food security impact of the rapidly-expanding bioenergy industry. …
Ethanol and the EPA
EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson calls the nation’s first comprehensive Renewable Fuels Standard, or RFS, “a hat trick – it protects the environment, strengthens our energy security, and supports America’s farmers.” Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Executive Director Tom Slunecka comments on the new RFS and EPA ruling that provides equal treatment for ethanol plants when it comes to emissions …
Biofuels and Animal Agriculture
Biofuels and their impact on animal agriculture was the main topic at opening general session of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture annual meeting this week in Sacramento, California. The keynote speaker was Bill Jones, chairman of Pacific Ethanol, whose topic was “Corn, Cattle and Carbon Credits – a California Perspective.” “I appreciate the opportunity to speak at this conference …
History Made at Homestead
The IndyCar Series made history in Homestead under the lights on March 24, filling up and feeling good on 100 percent fuel grade ethanol for the first time. This edition of “Fill up, Feel Good” includes comments from Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen, Indiana Senator Dick Lugar, IndyCar drivers Jeff Simmons, Scott Sharp and Dan Wheldon, RLR owner Bobby …