Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson is calling on Congress and the Bush Administration to launch full and thorough investigations into skyrocketing fuel prices.
“We’re being taken for a ride, and the evidence is everywhere, from the escalating prices we pay to fill up our vehicles with gasoline to the purchase of virtually all consumer goods,” Bronson said. “It is almost impossible to conceive of a product that is not dependent on oil in either its production or transportation to the stores in which it is sold.”
At the same time, Bronson is urging Congress to resist efforts to slow down the production of ethanol and biodiesel, arguing that the production of alternative fuels is the most effective option in assuring that fuel prices moderate and that future energy costs are affordable and he argues that it is a minor factor in food price increases.
“In fact, the President’s Council of Economic Advisors estimates that only 3 percent of the total increase in food prices this year is attributable to corn that is being diverted for ethanol production,” Bronson said. “Analysts say the most significant factors in increasing food costs are higher fuel prices, greater demand in countries such as China and India, and droughts in several major food-producing nations.”
Establishing a major alternative fuel industry in Florida is a top priority of Bronson, who is a Steering Committee member of “25x’25,” a national bipartisan organization committed to seeing the nation’s agriculture industry produce 25 percent of the country’s energy needs by the year 2025.
Bronson developed Florida’s “Farm to Fuel” initiative, a program designed to use Florida’s more than 10 million acres of farm and timber land to produce ethanol and biodiesel as a means of keeping Florida land in open green space and in an effort to reduce the state and nation’s dependency on foreign oil.
“You know what was nice about today, is we didn’t have any luck,” said Ryan. “You know, we didn’t have bad luck, we didn’t have good luck, we just had no luck.”
In a race down to the pits, No. 9 Target Driver Scott Dixon with Chip Ganassi Racing sped past Vitor Meira during the final pit stop during a yellow to take the win at the Brickyard. Reporters commented on the look of shock on Scott’s face at winners circle and Scott confirmed that he was a bit shocked.
“This is much more sweeter because it comes, you know, you work three weeks solidly and it comes down to one day to get it and have everything fall into place. It’s quite special,” Scott said.
We’re well into the final quarter of the 2008 Indy 500. There’s been more than a handful of crashes. But, Ryan Hunter-Reay has been holding a top 10 position for much of the race and is just shy of a top 5 spot. He now holds the 6th position after starting 20th.
Members of the 
Ethanol isn’t just out on the track, but also in parking lots and parked in the infield at the Brickyard in Indianapolis, IN. And that’s something 
Team Ethanol Driver Ryan Hunter-Reay started the 92nd Indianapolis 500 in position 20, but the race rookie has already moved up to 11th. The drivers are cruising on a yellow flag right now. Keep checking back to see if Ryan can snag a top 10 spot.
Olympian figure skater Kristy Yamaguchi is the latest star to win the “Dancing with the Stars” competition. She’s also the latest star to signal that the race is on. Kristy flashed the green ethanol flag and the 33 competitors in the 92nd Indy 500 took off for their 200 lap run around the Brickyard. Just thirty-seven laps into the race, Graham Rahal got too high around turn 4 and smashed into the outer wall.
The Ethanol tent and mobile unit display at the 92nd Indianapolis 500 is a big hit with race fans. When I dropped by there was a large crowd lined up to sign up their email address and consumer information with ethanol. Those that stopped by could also jump in the seat of a Team Ethanol IndyCar replica, play some racing videogames and pick up a tiny replica of the No. 17 car.
He was named rookie of the year for the 2007 IRL season. Ryan is also in the running to be the Rookie of the Year for the 2008 Indy 500.
But, he was quick to point out that when the car’s dialed in and everything is running smoothly, “It actually does feel like you’re flying low… it’s amazing those cars can do that really. Cause you don’t believe in it. Until you’re actually in the corner with 4 Gs loaded up and you get out of it.”