Other Convoy Bloggers

Chuck Zimmerman

I think it’s fascinating that I’m not the only blogger on this trip. There are several of us and you ought to check them out. Here’s a list of them which you can find on the AASHTO website.

  • Merrill Eisenhower Atwater
    A great-grandson of President Eisenhower and a communications major at Missouri Western State University. He will be chronicling the trip and sharing family recollections.
  • Dana Alexander Nolfe
    Dana Alexander Nolfe, the Chief Public Affairs Officer for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, shares her impressions of the trip and of how America loves its highways and byways in her blog, Life on the Highway.
  • Roadside Conversations
    The Roadside Conversations team has a blog, News from the side of the road, where they describe their experiences on the trip and in setting up their Airstream Travel Trailer with advanced audio-visual recording and playback facilities.
  • Dave Humphreys
    Convoy speaker and former Recreational Vehicles Industry Association President Dave Humphreys has a journal of his convoy trip at RV Trade Digest’s website. You can view it in the Breaking News section on the right side of the page.
  • Steve Jarriel
    Steve Jarriel, reporter for NCNTV, who is accomponying the convoy and appearing on NCN’s daily webcasts, shares reflections on his trip in a blog. You can view it by scrolling down to the very bottom of the page.
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    The Commissioner on Ethanol

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Tailgator on EthanolWe met the Commissioner of Tailgating, Joe Cahn, the other day. He was out in the sun tailgating again today.

    This time we were treated to some excellent jambalaya and bratwurst.

    If you ever have a chance to attend a Joe Cahn tailgate party I highly recommend it. He’s a great guy with an awesome perspective and outlook on life and I’m glad to have met him.

    Before saying goodbye to Joe I got this little video clip to share with you. Joe says corn is hard to find in Nebraska to cook with and explains why: Watch wmv file Commissioner Cahn on Ethanol (1 min WMV)

    Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

    Ethanol, Video

    Mini Semi Entertains

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Mini SemiAt the end of our Omaha press conference at Werner Enterprises, we had a little fun when a remote controlled truck made the rounds.

    It’s the little guy in the bottom of the picture.

    Of course this was a video moment and I got it for you: Watch wmv file Mini Semi (1 min WMV)

    Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

    Video

    Todd Sneller Interview

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman & Todd SnellerTodd Sneller, Administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board (right of NE Gov. Dave Heineman) says that the board was created to help consumers understand and know that ethanol is safe to put in their vehicles. He says they conducted a 2.2 million mile test of ethanol blends in the mid 1970’s to get EPA certification.

    Listen to Todd’s interview here: Listen to MP3 Todd Sneller Interview (3 min MP3)

    Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

    Audio, Ethanol

    Nebraska Ethanol Board

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Todd SnellerI got some support here in Omaha from the Nebraska Ethanol Board. Administrator, Todd Sneller came out in the Governor’s E85 Avalanche.

    Later on I’ll add an interview with Todd in which he explains what the Nebraska Ethanol Board does. They have some interesting programs that include research I think you’ll want to know more about.

    Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

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    Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Nebraska Governor Dave HeinemanNebraska Governor, Dave Heineman spoke at our press conference here in Omaha this morning. Afterward I got to meet and interview him.

    Nebraska is the 3rd largest ethanol producing state. Heineman describes how important ethanol and the highway system is economically to his state.

    Here’s my interview with the Governor: Listen to MP3 Governor Dave Heineman Interview (1 min MP3)

    You can hear Governor Heineman’s remarks to the AASHTO group here: Listen to MP3 Governor Dave Heineman’s Remarks (5 min MP3)

    Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

    Audio

    Omaha Press Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Omaha Press ConferenceTo our pleasant surprise today, the Governor of Nebraska attended our press conference here in Omaha. Right now I’m in the parking lot of the QWest Center where we have a traffic mobility showcase taking place. The Ethanol Truck is on display here with materials to hand out to the public.

    Since I’m only connected by my Sprint card I’ll upload and add some audio to this and the next couple posts later this evening.

    Our press conference this morning was held at the Werner Enterprises headquarters. They have a beautiful facility and it’s their 50 year anniversary so that coincided well with the AASHTO Celebrate the Interstate Convoy trip.

    Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

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    Corn Grower & Shop Manager

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Grand Island Welcome CrewThe Grand Island/Hall County Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomed us to our fuel stop yesterday with bottled water and candy bars. Thank you.

    I interviewed the Travel Center of America shop manager, Bill Buettner (left) and found out that he’s also a corn grower and ethanol enthusiast.

    Bill says that since they’ve labelled their pumps and blended ethanol he hasn’t really had much feedback from customers. He assumes that’s because consumers accept it more now than they used to.

    Here’s my interview with Bill: Listen to MP3 Bill Buettner Interview (2 min MP3)

    Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

    Audio, Ethanol

    Finally, Some Ethanol

    Chuck Zimmerman

    E10 PumpsThe first pumps we found on our trip so far that contained a blend of ethanol were at our Travel Centers of America fuel stop in Grand Island, NE.

    Here you can see that they have 10% ethanol in all their grades of gas.

    Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

    Ethanol

    North Platte Press Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    North Platte News ConferenceOur first stop on the highway Wednesday was North Platte, NE. Here’s our stage at the press conference at the truck weigh station.

    One of the speakers was local transportation enthusiast, Eric Seacrest. Eric describes the original convoy trip in 1919 by Lt. Col. Eisenhower. He also talks about the challenges and opportunities presented by the interstate system in Nebraska. One of those challenges is related to the truck traffic and the strain they put on the highway.

    Listen to Eric here: Listen to MP3 Eric Seacrest Remarks (8 min MP3)

    When I met Eric after the press conference he said he was glad to see ethanol represented since he’s an investor in a local ethanol plant.

    Domestic Fuel coverage and participation in the AASHTO Interstate 50th Convoy is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

    Audio