The first press conference of the day on Friday was with Bobby Rahal (r) and his drivers, Jeff Simmons (l), Danica Patrick and Bobby Rice.
When the conference was over the drivers took off fast since they decided to let them run starting at 11am.
These folks love to drive and you can see the eagerness they have to get out there and perform.
While we’re on the subject of new ethanol facilities how about American Ethanol? According to their website they’re planning to build and build and build . . .
American Ethanol plans to develop more than two billion gallons of annual ethanol production capacity to address America’s growing renewable and high-octane fuel requirements. Ethanol reduces dependence on foreign energy sources in an environmentally responsible manner. The company plans to build fifteen ethanol plants and to invest in the expansion of a plant that is currently operating in Iowa.
This is why they say they’re investing in ethanol.
Ethanol is an octane-boosting fuel additive made from corn and other bio-sources. The demand for ethanol has soared as consumers and public policy makers recognize its positive impact on air quality, as well as its economic and national security benefits.
You can see some information about where they plan to build these plants here.
While all the promotion is going on here in Indianapolis there’s news to tell elsewhere. The Beatrice Daily Sun reports that there will be a groundbreaking for a new ethanol facility in Adams, Nebraska on June 2. It’s E Energy Adams. According to the story:
Jack Alderman, E Energy Adams president, said Gov. Dave Heineman and other state and local officials were expected to attend the ceremony.
“We are glad to finally be at this point,” Alderman said. “Everything is moving on schedule.”
While the groundbreaking ceremony is planned for June 2, he said actual construction would not begin until the following week. Construction is expected to take about 16 months, making projected completion in late 2007.
You can find a map to the property on the E Energy Adams website. Thanks to regular visitor Eric for the heads up!
One of the speakers at today’s Ethanol Summit was Ed Peper, General Manager of Chevrolet. He’s pictured here with Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman.
I interviewed Ed about General Motors committment to alternative fuel vehicles (AFV’s) after his remarks to the Summit attendees. He made it very clear that GM is in the alternative fuels business to stay. He says they were the first manufacturer to get involved and they have the most AFV’s on the road today.
You can listent to my interview with Ed here: 
Ed Peper Interview (3 min MP3)
During Ed’s presentation he highlighted GM’s continued involvement in the Indianapolis 500 as well as their commitment to Indiana and the E-85 flex fuel initiative. He also presented the keys to a new Chevrolet E-85 Tahoe to the Lt. Governor, which she will use as an educational tool to promote the use of renewable fuels.
The Tahoe also symbolizes Indiana’s committment to agriculture and the environment. This is the second year that GM has provided a vehicle to the state as part of the Governor’s ethanol coalition. General Motors is currently the largest producer of E-85 flesible fuels vehicles with nearly 2 million on the road. There are over 70,000 GM E-85 vehicles in Indiana. They have five plants in the state, over 200 GM dealers, and over 10,000 employees.
After the Ethanol Summit program was over, it was time for a ride around the track. USDA Under Secretary Tom Dorr is inside the truck you see here on his second lap.
I got to ride in the truck afterward. They allowed 3 of us to ride along with the driver. I interviewed them all as we were making our laps today in the Chevrolet Ethanol Pace Truck.
The guys in the truck with me were Dan Edwards, Indy Track Racking Operations Director (driver), National Corn Growers Association Chairman, Leon Corzine and Waitt Farm Network Director, Emery Kleven. Emery took the picture of me in the back seat with Leon. You can listen to the interview here: Indy Pace Truck Interview (3 min MP3)
Just to make it interesting I also shot video clips. The first one here is a Pace Truck drive-by with the USDA Sec. inside. The second one is my ride inside the truck while doing the interview you can hear above.
Pace Car Drive-By (1 min wmv)
Pace Car Laps (3 min wmv)
At the conclusion of today’s Ethanol Summit, a little panel discussion was held.
Pictured are (l-r) EPIC Executive Director, Tom Slunecka, Indiana Lt. Governor, Becky Skillman and USDA Under Secretary Tom Dorr.
I shot a short video clip of one of their answers for you.
You can watch it here: Ethanol Summit Panel (3 min wmv)
I had to get in one picture today! Here I’m interviewing Jeff Simmons, driver of the Rahal-Letterman Ethanol Car.
Jeff describes how his backup car is performing. He had to move to it after a little wall incident with the other car last week.
Jeff also says that the attention ethanol is getting from the people here at the Ethanol Summit, like USDA Under Sec. Tom Dorr, is overdue.
You can listen my interview with Jeff here: Jeff Simmons Interview (2 min MP3)
The Executive Director for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is Tom Slunecka, who spoke to the crowd at the Ethanol Summit just a little while ago.
Tom made a point of saying how important a role the media and consumers play in the development of alternative fuels like ethanol. He urged consumers to look at what the gas pump is providing and if it doesn’t have ethanol, to ask for it.
I recorded Tom’s remarks for you. You can listen to them here: Tom Slunecka Remarks (5 min MP3)
The keynote speaker today at the Ethanol Summit here at the Indianapolis Speedway was USDA Under Secretary Tom Dorr.
I interviewed the Secretary and asked him what his department is doing to assist in the development of alternative fuels. He says that the main ways they help are by providing small grants to companies that are starting up and developing alternative fuel alternatives like ethanol and then some initial financing in the form of low interest loans.
You can listen to my interview with Secretary Dorr here: Secretary Dorr Interview (4 min MP3)
One of the first speakers at today’s Ethanol Summit was the late Paul Dana’s brother Greg.
Greg talked about the vision and mission Paul had in bringing together the ethanol industry and the IRL. He paid a great tribute to his brother and I have to believe it was a tough thing to do here today in front of so many people in the industry who worked with and miss Paul. He did a great job though and I’ve got his full comments for you.
You can listen to Greg’s remarks here: Greg Dana Remarks (7 min MP3)
