DF Cast: Charting the Future of Ethanol
Attendees of the recent Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo in Denver, Colorado heard something they most likely already knew: the past year was a rough one for the ethanol industry.
While some folks such as Mike Bryan, CEO of BBI International point out that much of the green fuel’s woes were a concerted effort by those outside of the industry to spread misinformation, Bryan and Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association insisted it’s time for ethanol to take back the message and spread the good news… like the fact that the industry has created 500,000 jobs and pumps $66 billion into the American economy.
Others focused on how new, alternative feedstocks, in particular, cellulosic, and advances in corn technology will make it possible to have the food, feed and fuel this country needs in the years to come.
It was a fascinating discussion, and we bring you a bit of the conversations from FEW in this latest edition of the Domestic Fuel cast. Listen to folks like Bryan; Dinneen; Dave Vander Griend, CEO of ICM Incorporated; Jeff Broin, CEO of ethanol producer POET; David Hiller, Executive Director of the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory; and Larry Johnson from the North American Business Development division of biomass ethanol producer Inbicon here:
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For those of you not familiar with an
“I think everyone is really interested in moving forward,” Buis said. “Obviously we are going through some rough spots, economically, but I think people are optimistic and at the end of the day we will all win.”
At this week’s Fuel Ethanol Workshop we had a very large panel discussion titled, “Research, Technology and the Future of Ethanol Production.” This was a pretty serious group of industry leaders and thinkers that was introduced by Tom Bryan, BBI International. Included were:
I’ll be leaving the Fuel Ethanol Workshop soon but have several interviews to post over the next several days. Today’s a travel day back home after a week on the road that included working with biodiesel in Nashville and ethanol in Denver!
POET CEO, Jeff Broin, announced a new division for the company this morning at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop.
He preached a powerful sermon this morning. He’s the Reverend of Renewable Fuels. He’s Bob Dinneen, CEO, RFA. Bob was on our program at the opening general session of the Fuel Ethanol Workshop. This is the 25th FEW and Bob has attended 21 of them now!
This morning, Kathy Bryan, BBI International, was presented with the FEW High Octane award for a lifetime of commitment to the industry. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, she could not be with us. It was an emotional scene as her son Tom accepted the award for her.
Gen. Wesley Clark,
Mike Bryan, CEO, BBI International, opened the general session this morning.