We really haven’t hit any rain to speak of on our convoy trip. That is until we crossed the Pennsylvania line this morning. It hasn’t stopped since then I don’t think.
We’re certainly keeping an eye on the sky since tomorrow we travel on to Gettysburg and Emmitsburg, MD and then Thursday we wind things up in Washington, DC.
Keeping our fingers crossed.
Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.
After leaving South Bend, IN we trekked onward to Akron, OH. Our host was the Firestone company and Andrew Firestone. Andrew is the great grandson of Harvey Firestone.
I talked to Andrew about what his thoughts are on the highway system, agriculture and renewable fuels. I think he had some very well thought out answers and am presenting them to you here: 
Andrew Firestone Interview (5 min MP3)
I also wanted you to see the convoy pulling into the Firestone headquarters after a 380 mile day which you can do here: 
Pulling Into Firestone (2 min WMV)
Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.
We got a real treat when we pulled into South Bend, IN. A crowd of people were out on the street to cheer and wave us in. It was the best public support display we’ve seen on the main convoy route.
We pulled up to the Studebaker National Museum and were treated to lunch and a press conference. One of the speakers was the Indiana Dept. of Transportation Commissioner, Thomas Sharp. He spoke about Innovation and Innovators. This is why I record these things. You can listen to him explain here: Thomas Sharp Remarks (8 min MP3)
Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.
Prior to leaving Tinley Park, IL we participated in a press conference that was organized by the Illinois Dept. of Transportation.
Here’s the color guard presenting in front of the stage and 2 highway signs. They were too highly reflective for my camera and flash. But I thought it was a neat picture.
One of the speakers was Norm Stoner, Division Administrator for the Federal Highway Administration. He spoke on Pioneers, Pride and Potential. I’ll let you either apply those terms to the highway system and figure out what his message is or you can listen to his comments right here: Norm Stoner Remarks (8 min MP3)
Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.
Xethanol Corporation is parthering up Global Energy and Management, LLC to develop ethanol production in New England states.
According to a press release, the new venture, known as NewEnglandXethanol LLC, or NEX, plans to open several ethanol plants throughout the region deploying Xethanol’s proprietary technologies. Additionally, Xethanol may co-locate biodiesel production in its facilities under Xethanol’s sub-license from H2Diesel, Inc.
Nuclear Solutions of Washington DC, “an emerging innovative technology development company,” is behind a company called Fuel Frontiers, Inc. which proposes to use commercially available and proprietary technologies to transform low-value, end-of-life carbonaceous waste materials such as waste coal, used tires, wood wastes, biomass, discarded corn stalks and other agricultural by-products, into high-value, environmentally friendly, clean-burning ethanol. They plan to base the proposed ethanol synthesis plant in Dover Township, N.J., once all the requisite hoops are jumped through. Several press releases about the company and project can be found here on the NASDAQ site for Nuclear Solutions.
The latest “Fill Up, Feel Good” podcast from the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is on ethanol making tracks all over the racing world. It features interviews with people who use ethanol in competition vehicles, including tractor pulls and sprint cars, as well as Indy car drivers Jeff Simmons and Danica Patrick and a guy who makes fast cars go faster on ethanol.
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. (4:00 MP3 File)
The Fill Up, Feel Good theme music is “Tribute to Joe Satriani” by Alan Renkl, thanks to the Podsafe Music Network.
The cross country convoy is in Akron, OH and heading to Pennsylvania today. We got in too late last night to post anything although I have a lot of good stuff for you.
Before leaving Tinley Park, IL though we had a big press conference. The Illinois Dept. of Transportation has a very nice display of pictures of old highway construction, including equipment like this that I found fascinating.
I’ll have more tonight.
Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.
Xethanol Corporation issued a press release this week defending itself against “inaccurate and misleading statements” made in an article published by The Motley Fool on Friday, June 23. Xethanol took offense at the Fool’s suggestion that it “was formed simply to capitalize on the ethanol interest in today’s market.” To set the record straight, the release states that Xethanol was formed in 2001 with the express strategy to develop its business in the emerging biomass-to-ethanol industry. Since 2001, Xethanol has been engaged in the business of developing and operating facilities for the production of ethanol. It continues to be engaged only in that business and in the development of technologies and facilities for the production of other biofuels.
It’s worth noting that the Motely Fool did make some corrections to the article, although the general tone and the implication that Xethanol is simply “looking to exploit investor excitement for ethanol” remains. Xethanol says “the misleading statements in the article were so egregious that Xethanol felt compelled to respond.” You be the judge.
Clovis, New Mexico is the future site of a 105 million gallon a year ethanol plant planned by private equity firms Riverstone Holdings and The Carlyle Group. According to a news release, “the plant will more than triple New Mexico’s ethanol output. New Mexico’s only other ethanol plant, Abengoa in Portales, currently produces 30 million gallons annually.” The plant will be constructed on ConAgra Trade Group’s Peavey grain elevator property which will supply corn and energy inputs for the plant, market and distribute the plant’s outputs, including ethanol and distillers grains, and provide logistics and risk management services.
