Category Archives: Audio

Badger State Ethanol

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Badger State Ethanol Board members of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council are meeting in Kansas City this weekend and going to the Indy race Sunday at the Kansas Speedway. One of those members is John Malchine, CEO of Badger State Ethanol in Monroe, WI. We got a call this morning from Wisconsin radio station KFAW-AM to talk about ethanol and we had them speak to John from the board meeting.

Chuck interviewed John at the Indy 500 last month and you can listen to that interview here: Listen to MP3 Malchine (3:25 min MP3)

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House Ag Committee Hearing

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A four hour hearing of the House Agriculture Committee Thursday covered the waterfront on mainly ethanol, even though it was supposed to be on renewable fuels in general. After USDA’s Tom Dorr, the second panel offered some really interesting testimony on lots of new developments in the field.

Easy Automation First up was Mark Gaalswyk, president of Easy Automation in Welcome, Minnesota who talked about self-contained, miniature ethanol plants that can make 750,000 gallons of ethanol a year. “This enables the value-added to be moved much closer to the producer themselves.” He also talked about ways they are trying to improve the production technology. “It’s looking like we can drive the conversion ratio from 2.8 gallons per bushel to 3.2 gallons per bushel and about 70 cents per gallon produced, compared to the current $1.00.” They are also working on reducing the water and natural gas usage to produce the fuel.
You can listen Gaalswyk’s full remarks to the committee here: Listen to MP3 Gaalswyk (3:25 min MP3)

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Dorr Pays Tribute to Paul Dana

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Tom DorrDana In testimony before the House Agriculture Committee Thursday, USDA Undersecretary Tom Dorr paid tribute to Indy race car driver and ethanol advocate Paul Dana for his contributions to the ethanol industry.
“Last month I was in Indianapolis for an ethanol event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” Dorr said. “While I was there I met Tanya Dana, the wife of Paul Dana. Paul is the young driver who was killed back in March during practice for another race. Paul was also the young man who had the idea and then persuaded Tony George, the president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, to switch to ethanol.”
Dorr noted the grassroots nature of Dana’s effort to bring ethanol to the Indy Racing League. “Paul and Tanya Dana were a couple of farm kids with an idea, and Tony George runs a family business. Most people don’t think of the Indy 500 that way, but it’s a third generation family business.”
You can listen Dorr’s full remarks to the committee here: Listen to MP3 Tom Dorr (4:25 min MP3)

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Local Radio Interview

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KWOSAt numerous times along the highway over the last couple weeks we’ve had media interview opportunities.

I am real happy with this one I got to do with my local AM radio station, KWOS. Thank you John Marsh for your phone call.

You can listen to the program here: Listen to MP3 KWOS Coffee Break (4 min MP3)

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

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Merrill On The Bridge

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Merrill AtwaterOne of the speakers at our Emmitsburg press conference was Merrill Eisenhower Atwater. Merrill gave a great talk.

Actually, I was impressed with how he handled the heat in that suit. Merrill started out thanking all our military for their service. I’m sure his great grandfather would be proud of him.

You can hear Merrill’s remarks here: Listen to MP3 Merrill Eisenhower Atwater Remarks (2 min MP3)

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

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Visiting With Firestone

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Andrew FirestoneAfter 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: Listen to MP3 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: Watch wmv file 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.

Studebaker Museum

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StudebakerWe 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:Listen to MP3 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.

Illinois Highway Administrator

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IL Color GuardPrior 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:Listen to MP3 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.

Fill Up, Feel Good Podcast

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e-podcastThe 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.

Country Coach Founder

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Bob LeeWe are allowed to play sometimes as we trek across the United States on I-80. Here’s Bob Lee (left), founder of Country Coach, Inc. with one of the toys he brought on the trip.

Besides a remote controlled car, Bob also brought a vintage Thunderbird and a couple of Honda tricycles. Of course he’s riding in a custom Country Coach and his toys are riding in bright yellow truck. Bob has an interesting story to tell which you can listen to here:: Listen to MP3 Bob Lee Interview (4 min MP3)

Here’s a short video clip of Bob playing: Watch wmv file Bob Lee & Toy (1 min WMV)

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

Illinois Corn Greeting

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Jim RobbinsJim Robbins, Illinois Corn Marketing Board Director, showed up to greet the AASHTO convoy in Tinley Park, IL. In fact, he gave our convoy group and nice description of what ethanol means to him as a farmer and to our country.

Jim is a corn grower in Illinois right below Chicago. He also commented on how important the interstate highway system is for transporting agricultural commodities.

I interviewed Jim prior to his speech: Listen to MP3 Jim Robbins Interview (4 min MP3)

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

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IL Senator Dick Durbin

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Interviewing Senator DurbinWe stopped in Illinois off the road in Ottawa where the original test site was set up by what is now AASHTO to test various highway products and procedures. To do this a lot of people put in a lot of work over years, including driving a track millions of miles.

One of the people greeting us was Senator Dick Durbin. I interviewed the Senator before our program began. He talks about the importance of the highway system and renewable fuels like ethanol. He also pointed out how it took a doubling of the gasoline tax 50 years ago to raise the funds to get the interstate highway system going and he credits President Eisenhower with a lot of courage to get that done.

Listen to Senator Durbin here: Listen to MP3 Senator Dick Durbin Interview (2 min MP3)

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

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EPIC Sponsors Local Event

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Joanna SchroederJoanna Schroeder works for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) which is an AASHTO Convoy sponsor and sponsor of Domestic Fuel and my trip. She came to our Iowa event to tell people about the good things that ethanol is doing for America. Besides sponsoring the convoy, EPIC also was one of the sponsors of the local Iowa event.

Joanna says that people need to demand ethanol because it’s good for the environment, good for your car’s engine and reduces our dependence on foreign oil. She says they’re developing a mechanics training module to teach mechanics about ethanol regardless of what blend they use.

Listen to Joanna here: Listen to MP3 Joanna Schroeder Interview (2 min MP3)

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

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IA State University Ethanol Car

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Tony SartorWhen we got to Living History Farm in Urbandale, IA Tony Sartor, Iowa State University had an ethanol car on display.

Tony is the public relations man for the team of students who work on this car this year. He did a great interview.

Tony says that the engineering students build this car, which is a mini version of a Formula One or Indy race car, to compete in the Society of Automotive Engineers competition. They’re one of the only cars to use ethanol.

Listen to Tony here: Listen to MP3 Tony Sartor Interview (2 min MP3)

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

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IA Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson

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Sally PedersonThe Lt. Governor of Iowa met our convoy off of I-80 after we got into Iowa. She’s Sally Pederson (right), seen here with AASHTO staff members Jennifer Gavin (left) and Kathie Leyendecker.

When I spoke with the Lt. Governor she said she’s kicking off her own convoy tour around Iowa to promote tourism. I’m sure she’ll be doing some interstate miles. She thinks ethanol is very important to Iowa and is proud that Iowa is the number one ethanol producing state.

Listen to Lt. Gov. Pederson here: Listen to MP3 Lt. Governor Sally Pederson Interview (2 min MP3)

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

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