The 2007 Commodity Classic is upon us. For the first time this year, the annual commodity event brings together the “Big Three” – corn, soybeans AND wheat. The first two have been meeting in a combined event for years, now wheat has decided to join the club. The meeting will have a pirate theme this year, being held overlooking beautiful …
USDA Helping With Rural Development
USDA’s Rural Development department has been involved in assisting rural communities in a number of project areas over the years. One of them is the area of renewable energy and energy efficiency. At the recent Cattle Industry Convention, I met with and interviewed Allan Johnson, USDA Rural Development, Senior Advisor. The conversation turned to renewable energy right away since ethanol …
I Love Ethanol Song
The National Ethanol Conference is now over and saying goodbye was RFA President/CEO, Bob Dinneen. Next year’s Conference will be held in Orlando, FL so be sure to plan ahead early to make sure you participate in this industry-leading event. Although I don’t have the video (I’ll try to get a copy) I do have the audio from the final …
Economic Analysis on the Impact of U.S. Ethanol Industry
To get a complete understanding about the Ethanol Tax Incentive, attendees at the National Ethanol Conference heard this morning from Dr. John Urbanchuk, Director, LECG, LLC. He started out talking about how work needs to be done to renew the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) in a couple years. He talks about how the ethanol industry is in its …
Rep. Hulshof’s Capitol Hill View
Congressman from Missouri, Kenny Hulshof, (R-MO) was on stage today at the National Ethanol Conference as part of the session on how things look on Capitol Hill for the 110th Congress. Hulshof said that he might get in trouble as a Republican by saying it, but he said that he thinks agriculture will fare well with Rep. Peterson at the …
Capitol Hill View by Rep. Peterson
This morning at the National Ethanol Conference we got the view from Capitol Hill as two of our Congressmen provided their thoughts on the legislative agenda for the 110th Congress. First up was Representative Collin Peterson (D-MN). He serves as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Peterson started out mentioning the farm bill and the challenges presented by the successes …
Ethanol & Racing by Bobby Rahal
Bobby Rahal, Rahal-Letterman Racing, was our luncheon speaker today. Bobby says that racing has always been the place that auto manufacturers have experimented with various technologies and fuel is no exception. He says that with the Indy Racing League moving to 100% ethanol this year and with the American Le Mans Series moving to a blend of ethanol that the …
Understanding Alternative Fuels Policy Proposal
Here at the National Ethanol Conference we got some policy information you might find helpful to understand the President’s proposal on alternative fuels. With policy playing such an important role in the growth and development of the ethanol industry it was necessary to get the perspective from one of the government agencies that has a significant role in regulation. To …
A Global Perspective on Ethanol
We had a special presentation this morning at the National Ethanol Conference from former U. S. Trade Representative and now partner in the firm of Mayer, Brown, Rowe and Maw LLP, Mickey Kantor. Kantor spoke on the subject of “Understanding Ethanol in a Global Marketplace.” He provided an interesting and at times amusing perspective on the subject. You can listen …
A Rousing Speech From the DOE
The Honorable Alexander Karsner, Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U. S. Department of Energy, was the keynote speaker at today’s National Ethanol Conference general session. Karsner talks about the unprecedented calls to policy and calls to action and an accelerated time frame when it comes to resolving the issue of our addiction to foreign oil, a term …