IRL Prepares to Fill Up, Feel Good

Cindy Zimmerman

e-podcast Learn more about the excitement at the Indy Racing League as they prepare to go 100 percent ethanol in 2007 in the latest “Fill Up, Feel Good” podcast from the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

The podcast features comments from IRL President Tony George, VP John Lewis and Senior Technical Director Les McTaggert, drivers Jeff Simmons and Dario Franchitti, as well as ethanol industry representatives Tom Slunecka and Jeff Broin.

The “Fill up, Feel Good” podcast is available to download by subscription (see our sidebar link) or you can listen to it by clicking here. (5:30 MP3 File)

The Fill Up, Feel Good theme music is “Tribute to Joe Satriani” by Alan Renkl, thanks to the Podsafe Music Network.

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Fill Up Feel Good, Indy Racing

Indy Starts With an “E”

Cindy Zimmerman

Indy Car SeriesEA new era was unleashed Tuesday for IndyCar racing.

The new Honda 3.5-liter V-8 racing engine made a successful debut on the 2.73-mile road course at Daytona International Speedway with two cars making a “trouble free” testing session, according to a release from the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

It marked the first time in open-wheel competition that IndyCar engines ran on 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol as former series champions Tony Kanaan and Sam Hornish Jr. made impressive runs with the IndyCar Series’ latest engine configuration. The IRL IndyCar® Series will be the first major auto racing series to utilize a renewable fuel source in all of its racing cars during the 2007 racing campaign.

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing

Earthrace Low on Financial Fuel

Cindy Zimmerman

BioBoat The first 100-percent pure biodiesel race boat is running short on funding and may not finish it’s world tour as planned.

According to news reports, like this one from the NY Times, Earthrace – aka “the World’s Coolest Boat” – is drowning in debt and stuck on the west coast. The boat was due to arrive on the east coast this week.

Earthrace started in New Zealand with the goal of spreading the word about alternative fuels and the benefits of biodiesel. Organizers were confident the cash would flow once they got the trip underway, but now they are begging for donations.

For more information about Earthrace or to make a donation, visit www.earthrace.net.

Biodiesel, Promotion

15 Percent Solution?

Cindy Zimmerman

This commentary from the Detroit News suggests that a 15 percent ethanol blend may be the best use of the fuel for the industry at this time.

Sam R. Simon, a member of the National Petroleum Council and chairman of Atlas Oil Co., argues that, as opposed to E85, E15 is the best option because that 15-percent ethanol blend can be dispensed today from existing pumps and can safely power nearly every car.

His point is a valid one since the cost to install E85 pumps and the fact that only a small percentage of vehicles can run on it now seriously limits the use of the higher ethanol blends. If the petroleum companies were willing to use as much as a 15 percent blend in most gasoline at the pump, it would lessen our dependence on foreign sources of oil more efficiently.

Think that’s going to happen?

Ethanol

A Case for Ethanol Free Trade Market

Cindy Zimmerman

card.jpg An Iowa State University economic study says the trade barriers are boosting the price of domestic ethanol and that removing them would “decrease the price for U.S. ethanol, while the world price would increase, as U.S. demand — and ethanol imports — would increase.”

According to a press release from ISU’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, the study looks at the two largest ethanol producers: Brazil (ethanol from sugarcane) and the U.S.(ethanol primarily from corn). The analysis was based on mathematical simulations using an international ethanol model and country-specific models. The simulations were performed for two U.S. policy reform scenarios: one for trade liberalization alone and the other adding removal of the U.S. 51 cent-per-gallon tax credit to refiners blending ethanol.

The full report can be viewed on the CARD website.

Ethanol, Research

Keeping up with The Andersons

Cindy Zimmerman

AndersonsThe Andersons, Inc. of Ohio has begun preliminary site work for an ethanol plant located in Greenville, Ohio.

According to a press release, The Andersons closed the purchase of property located in an industrial park in this Southwestern Ohio community. Additionally, the company has received a draft air permit from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

The 110 million gallon per year plant would be the first plant in Ohio and could be operational as soon as the first quarter of 2008.
of up to 40 employees. The project is subject to approval by The Andersons Board of Directors.

Ethanol

A Grand Event

Cindy Zimmerman

VanguardWell over 600 people were on hand for the grand opening of Missouri Ethanol on Monday in the small town of Laddonia, Missouri – which only has a population of 600!

Flying over head to kick-off the event was the 100 percent ethanol-powered Vanguard Squadron, and at the podium to praise the farmer owners of the plant for their dedication and perseverance were state and national government officials and organization representatives.

“This is more than just the city of Laddonia,” said US Congressman Kenny Hulshof (R-Mo). “This is the future of farming.”
Listen to Hulshof’s full remarks: Listen To MP3 Kenny Hulshof (5 min MP3)
Hulshof
Also speaking at the event were US Senator Jim Talent of Missouri, several state legislators, and the leaders of both the American Coalition for Ethanol and the Renewable Fuels Association.

RFA president Bob Dinneen welcomed Missouri Ethanol to “the fastest growing energy industry in the world – the US ethanol industry.” Brian Jennings with ACE noted that ethanol is now blended with 40 percent of the of the nation’s fuel.

Missouri Ethanol is the nation’s 105th ethanol biorefinery now open with over 40 more under construction. It is the fourth plant for Missouri.

Audio, Ethanol

Plant Manager Interview

Chuck Zimmerman

Robin VennThe General Manager of Missouri Ethanol is Robin Venn. He’s currently in the process of getting his house sold in Kansas City so he can move to the Laddonia area.

I interviewed Robin after the grand opening festivities were winding down. He says that all the employees of the ethanol plant are from Missouri which he thinks is unusual but shows that central Missouri has the technical talent for a plant like his and that the plant is keeping those people near home.

Listen to our interview: Listen To MP3 Robin Venn Interview (3 min MP3)

Audio, Ethanol, Facilities

Missouri Ethanol Ribbon Cutting

Chuck Zimmerman

Missouri Ethanol Ribbon CuttingThe grand opening event for Missouri Ethanol is just finishing up with public tours. I don’t think they could have asked for better weather. I heard the attendence pegged at 585 but I think it was more than that. It was a big crowd on hand.

The stage was filled with dignitaries who all got up together for the ribbon cutting to kick off the official opening of the plant. Production is slated to begin by tomorrow.

Ethanol, Facilities

Racing to the Hill

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol Hot Rod The National Corn Growers Association, the Ohio Corn Growers Association and the Renewable Fuels Association are bringing an ethanol-powered, high-performance race car to Capitol Hill this week to promote ethanol.

Mark Thomas, five-time International Hot Rod Association Funny Car champion, and his Ohio Corn Growers-sponsored race car will be on the corner of Delaware Avenue and C Street NE on Wednesday, September 27.

Learn more about Mark and his passion for ethanol as a farmer and a driver by listening to the Domestic Fuel interview with him on our previous post.

Ethanol, Racing