Another POET Groundbreaking

John Davis

POETSouth Dakota-based ethanol producer POET is adding another plant to its list of 20 active ethanol refineries and seven more under construction.

According to this release on the company’s web site, the latest one will be near North Manchester, Indiana… about 40 miles west of Fort Wayne. POET will hold a groundbreaking on July 13th at 1:30 PM in the Otho Winger Memorial Building at Manchester College:

POET mapAt 65 million gallons of ethanol per year (MGPY), POET Biorefining – North Manchester will consume 21 million bushels of locally grown corn and produce 178,000 tons of premium Dakota Gold Enhanced Nutrition Distillers Products™. Ethanol marketing for the facility will be provided by POET Ethanol Products and byproducts will be marketed by POET Nutrition. The facility will utilize Norfolk Southern rail service.

North Manchester will be the third site in the state of Indiana where POET has an ethanol plant under construction. A facility in Portland will be completed later this year and one in Alexandria will begin operations early next year. Cumulatively, the three projects represent an investment of more than $350 million in Indiana and will produce 190 MGPY.

WHAT: POET Biorefining – North Manchester, IN ethanol plant groundbreaking
WHERE: To start, Otho Winger Memorial Building at Manchester College, with shuttles to the groundbreaking site.
WHEN: July 13th, 1:30 PM

Ethanol, News

IndyCar Practice

Chuck Zimmerman

IndyCar PracticeThe IndyCars are really exciting to watch. At the Iowa Corn Indy 250 they were a little more exciting than normal due to all the bang-ups.

I’ve been very thrilled to have the opportunity to shoot pictures at a number of races now thanks to our sponsor, the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council and the Indy Racing League. This was the first race where I could shoot through the cut outs in the fence on the outside perimeter of the track. I realize now that I need a faster lens and am researching which one as we speak.

To give you a taste of what it’s like being in this spot from where I got this photo I have a short video clip for you. It helps bring home the high performance value of ethanol in these Honda engines. Since it was so humid out during this practice session you can see vapor trails coming off the rear foils of the cars.

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Video

Dario Franchitti Wins Iowa Corn Indy 250

Chuck Zimmerman

Dario and Iowa Corn GrowersThe winner of the first ever Iowa Corn Indy 250, presented by Ethanol is Dario Franchitti. He was a survivor out there because it was a brutal race of attrition after multiple accidents.

Dario is here in Victory Lane with members of the Iowa Corn Growers. He needed a little help getting that big trophy up in the air.

Once again the ethanol industry wins and I think this whole week of activities here in central Iowa has been a home run for corn growers and the companies making ethanol here in America.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Racing

Ron Fagen Enjoying The Race

Chuck Zimmerman

Ron FagenOne of the founders of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council and Team Ethanol is Ron Fagen, Fagen, Inc. Ron’s here (lower left) in the EPIC hospitality tent watching today’s race.

I spoke to Ron when we were in one of our caution periods and things kind of quieted down. He really likes how the relationship with the Indy Racing League has showcased the performance value of ethanol. You won’t find a bigger champion of the key benefits of this renewable fuel which includes being more environmentally friendly, relieving our dependence on foreign oil and helping out our economy.

Here’s my interview with Ron: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/iowa-corn-07-fagen.mp3]

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News

Ethanol Car Knocked Out of Race

Chuck Zimmerman

Jeff SimmonsI’m saddened to say that Jeff Simmons in the Team Ethanol car wasn’t able to finish today’s race. And he was running very well. Unfortunately on lap 86 Tony Kanaan spun out in front of him and he had no where to go and wound up in the wall and was out of the race.

This was a very accident heavy race with about half the field going out in different wrecks.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Racing

RFA’s Dinneen on Stage in Iowa

Chuck Zimmerman

Bob DinneenJust prior to the Iowa Corn Indy 250, presented by Ethanol I ran into Bob Dinneen, the CEO/President of the Renewable Fuels Association. He was one of the industry dignitaries on the stage just before driver introductions.

I interviewed Bob and he says this whole ethanol showcase event has been wonderfully done. Here’s my interview with Bob: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/iowa-corn-07-dinneen.mp3]

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News

Orange County Choppers Unveil First E85 Chopper

Chuck Zimmerman

Green ChopperThey’re billing it as America’s first renewable energy chopper that runs on E85. It was unveiled today at the Iowa Speedway by Iowa Farm Bureau. The bike was built in partnership between IFB and Orange County Choppers. I’ve got the press conference recorded and will update this post later with it. Right now I’ve got to get out on the track for pre-race activities.

Post Update: Here’s the audio from the press conference: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/iowa-corn-07-e85-chopper.mp3]

This chopper project is part of an IFB-led movement called “Join the Ride Iowa.” This chopper will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to the American Lung Association of Iowa.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

E85, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News

Iowa Race Day Press Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Senator InterviewsWelcome to race day here at the Iowa Speedway as we near the start of the Iowa Corn Indy 250.

To get things started we had a press conference titled, “Ethanol: Fueling Our Future” which was coordinated by the Iowa Corn Growers Association. On hand were Iowa’s state senators, Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin, seen here getting interviewed afterward. Also on the program was IA Lt. Governor, Patty Judge, IA Sec. of Ag, Bill Northey, Peter Hemken, DuPont VP, Bob Bowman, ICGA president and Kyle Phillips, ICPB Chairman.

I did not get to attend the conference but thanks to Tim Hoskins, IA Farmer Today, I have the full audio of the press conference for you to listen to. Right now the dignitaries are touring the garages.

Here’s this morning’s press conference: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/iowa-corn-07-race-press.mp3]

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News

Jeff Simmons Qualifies 6th

Chuck Zimmerman

Trophy TopIt has been a long day at the track here in Newton, IA for the lead up to the Iowa Corn Indy 250. I’ve updated my photo album and am calling it quits for the night since we’ve got to be back out at the track early.

This is the top of the trophy that someone will walk away with tomorrow. It was on display at an Iowa Corn Growers/EPIC reception after the IndyCars qualified.

The Rahal-Letterman team did very good today. Scott Sharp in the Patron car qualified for 4th place in the starting lineup with a speed of 181.713 mph and Jeff Simmons in the Ethanol car qualified 6th with a speed of 181.527 mph which is his highest qualifying position ever! This is a tight field with only the slightest fractions of a second separating the top qualifiers.

You can watch the race live on ABC at 12pm central time.

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News

EPIC Executive Director Happy

Chuck Zimmerman

Field LogoI think the logo for the Iowa Indy Corn 250, presented by Ethanol is very nice. It really looks good on the lawn in between the track and the pits here at Iowa Speedway.

The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is very involved in the promotion of this race, working very closely with organizations like the Iowa Corn Growers Association and Pioneer Hi-Bred. EPIC’s executive director Tom Slunecka was in the media center this afternoon. Tom was happy. And if Tom’s happy, I’m happy (EPIC is the founding and primary sponsor of Domestic Fuel).

I got him to sit down for a minute and talk about how he thinks it’s going. He’s just as excited about this race as all the corn growers I’ve spoken with this week. He says that the work EPIC has been doing to create a brand that consumers are aware of and trust is really paying off and venues like this race as well as all the IRL races have been key to showcasing the performance value of ethanol.

You can listen to my interview with Tom here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/iowa-corn-07-slunecka.mp3]

Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News