Ethanol Bob in Brazil
Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen is in Brazil for the Ethanol Summit 2009 in Sao Paulo and is providing an up-to-the-minute account of his visit via Twitter.
Among Dinneen’s comments so far since he arrived in Brazil early this morning: “Just passed a fuel station. Alcohol (ethanol) was 1.09, gasoline was 2.29. Units are litres and Rials, but you get the picture!” and “I find myself looking for flex fuel labels on the cars. They’re all over. A Honda Civic flex, a Toyota Corolla flex. Huh. Why not in the US?”
Former President Bill Clinton is among the speakers today at the summit, which is organized by the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) and is one of the most important gatherings focused on biofuels in the world. More than 90 speakers from all continents are confirmed for the Summit, which will feature 25 panels in five theme-specific venues, three publication launches and six plenary sessions. Dinneen will be among the panelists during a Wednesday session on Ethanol: Global vs. Domestic Market. A panel today on second generation ethanol includes representatives from POET, Novozymes, Monsanto and BP and a Food Versus Fuel panel on Wednesday will feature National Corn Growers Association chairman Ron Litterer.
1 Comment »
OxyMaven
Bob is right, Brazilian ethanol does rock. But doesn’t his observation make US corn ethanol look pretty pitiful in comparison? If ethanol producers would price their product at less than 50% that of gasoline, like it apparently is in Brazil, US consumers would love it, and FFVs would be flying off the showroom floors, and E85 would be the top selling fuel in the US. And that would really stick to it to the oil companies. Why can’t US ethanol be as cheap as Brazil – I don’t think they get any subsidies?
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