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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 in agriculture, especially in crops like corn. He also talks about how the livestock industry is making its concerns known on the Hill regarding feed costs.

You can listen to his remarks here: Rep. Collin Peterson Remarks (16 min MP3)

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 message of how well the fuel performs while reducing our dependence on foreign oil will continue to reach the American public. He says that racing is a perfect venue to help provide accurate information to the consumer and combat misleading information that is still being circulated.

You can listen to his remarks here: Bobby Rahal Remarks (14 min MP3)

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 do that we heard from the Honorable Stephen Johnson, Administrator, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

He talks about President Bush’s 20-in-10 plan, to reduce domestic gasoline usage 20% by the year 2010. The plan calls for increased levels of renewable fuels. He says he’ll be working with Congress to pass the President’s Alternative Fuels Proposal.

You can listen to his speech here: Hon. Stephen Johnson Speech (12 min MP3)

Follow all the proceedings of the conference on the National Ethanol Conference blog.

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 to his speech here: Mickey Kantor Speech (24 min MP3)

Follow all the proceedings of the conference on the National Ethanol Conference blog.

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 he says that he and his department are comfortable with.

You can listen to his speech here: Hon. Andrew Karsner Speech (36 min MP3)

Follow all the proceedings of the conference on the National Ethanol Conference blog.

The Reverend of Renewable Fuels and the President/CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, Bob Dinneen, gave his annual State of the Ethanol Industry speech this morning here at the National Ethanol Conference.

Bob says that “We have met the nattering nabobs of negativity, and we have soared.” In a word, he says the ethanol industry is sound. You can listen to Bob’s full speech here and I’ll post a link to the text of his speech as soon as I get it.

Post Update: Here’s a link to the speech: State of the Ethanol Industry (Word doc)

Bob’s speech is filled with current facts and figures on the industry like the fact that in 2006, the ethanol industry:

You can listen to Bob’s opening speech here: Bob Dinneen State of the Industry Speech (25 min MP3)

Follow all the proceedings of the conference on the National Ethanol Conference blog.

The opening general session is in progress here at the National Ethanol Conference. Welcoming everyone was Ron Miller, Chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association.

Ron says 2006 was a “year to remember” in the ethanol industry. He remembered the days when the business wasn’t like it is today. He credits much of the success of the industry to the companies and individuals who have worked together to move forward. He says that 46 percent of the gasoline in America is blended with ethanol.

He encouraged companies who have not joined RFA to do so. He says that having new members in the growing RFA family will further unify the industry voice and assist in continuing the growth and progress of the business.

You can listen to Ron’s speech here: Ron Miller Opening Speech. (2 min MP3)

Follow all the proceedings of the conference on the National Ethanol Conference blog.