Talk about blogging an event. You ought to check out the Sasol Chevron GTL Challenge diary. They have photos, a daily summary and video. I would have allowed public commenting but this is extremely well done. A lot of companies are seeing the value in this kind of direct to consumer media campaign. You’re seeing a lot of it here on AgWired and our other websites too. In fact, my travel schedule is really filling up this summer! Chevron has a whole team on this deal. Having a photographer and videographer with me would be nice. Think about it.
The Sasol Chevron GTL Challenge will see a team of twelve men and women embarking on a symbolic journey from Sasolburg, South Africa to Qatar, to signal the inauguration of the Oryx GTL plant in Qatar on 6th June. Read More
Fastline Is Now Online
Another publication group moves into the digital age. Fastline Publications now has a digital version of their publications. I wonder how many farmers will want the digital version only? Think of the potential cost savings on printing!
Fastline Online is the new digital subscription being offered by Fastline. When farmers sign up for the digital edition, they will receive the publication up to a week earlier than the print version. Customers will be able to search each edition by keyword. Fastline has also added links to dealer websites in their digital editions. This service will enable customers to print out ads to take to their dealers, or also create their own Fastline archive. There is even a clickable index page, where when the advertiser is selected, the site will take them to that ad in that specific Fastline publication. When a customer subscribes to the digital version, the link to each
book for that month will be sent via e-mail, and the book will appear on their screen in a matter of seconds. There are no downloads or special software required. To sign up, go to www.fastline.com/digital. Fastline is offering 6 months free of the home state digital edition.
Read More
Ethanol Gets Energized
Well I’m here at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on “Ethanol Day.” Amazingly the rain cleared up before the Secretary of Energy, Samuel Bodman arrived. It started to rain again after he left. He even took a couple laps in a 2-seater car with driver Davey Hamilton. As you can see the Sec. looks relaxed. This was before they did their laps.
I got to interview Secretary Bodman on his way to the track and it sounds like the industry has a champion in Washington, DC. He is very impressed with what 
he’s seen here today and says that his visit here means a great deal to him personally. As for his department, he says they’re seeking more and more ethanol to be used all through our country. The Secretary is from Illinois and this is his first visit to the track. He also made the point that ethanol helps make sure that the money spent by consumers on gas, stays here in the country. The Secretary is pictured trackside (r) with Tom Branhan, CEO of Glacial Lakes Energy and President of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.
You can listen to my interview with Secretary of Energy, Bodman here: 
Secretary Bodman Interview (3 min MP3)
Ethanol Day In Indy
I’m getting ready to leave one alternative fuel event for another one. The Clean Cities Congress is over but tomorrow’s “Ethanol Day” in Indianapolis. I’ll be attending all the events and collecting audio and pictures to share with you. The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council folks are working hard on getting the event organized. I look forward to seeing them there. There were several people here in Phoenix that said they’ll be there. Should be interesting.
Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman is scheduled to attend “Ethanol Day” at the Speedway to gain a “close-up” view of the racing machines running on an ethanol-blended fuel. Secretary Bodman will be a special guest of the Rahal Letterman Racing Team Ethanol operation, the Indy Racing League and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 11.
Among the activities involving Secretary Bodman on May 11 include his serving as an honorary pit crew member on the Team Ethanol car driven by Jeff Simmons, receiving a two-seater IndyCar ride from the Indy Racing Experience, holding a press conference at the trackside media room to discuss ethanol in racing and the future of renewable fuels in this country, participating in a tour of the Team Ethanol garage area (led by team owner Bobby Rahal) as well as the Speedway Museum and a meeting with the EPIC (Ethanol Promotion and Information Council) executives.
Alternative Fuels Rocker
I mentioned that we were doing a closing reception at Alice Cooper’s Town. Well he might not have showed up but we still had some good old rock and roll thanks to Bill Ball.
Bill started a band called Still Cruisin. I wonder if they travel. If you’re looking for a good one then give him a call.
By night Bill’s a rock and roller. By day he’s the Transportation Director for the Tucson Unified School District. An interesting combination Bill. And one we enjoyed at the reception.
On a break I interviewed Bill to find out what he does and what he gets out of the Clean Cities Congress. You can listen to my interview with Bill here: Bill Ball Interview (2 min MP3)
Energy Bill Roundtable
At the Clean Cities Congress today we had an energy bill roundtable. The panel consisted of (l-r) Phil Lampert, NEVC, Scott Gerke, American Honda, Rich Kolodziej, NGVA, Joe Jobe, NBB and Brian Feehan, PERC.
The moderator was Andrew Littlefair, CEO of Clean Energy. To get started here’s a segment from the discussion in which each participant answers the question of what he thinks is most important piece of legislation and why.
Here’s their response: Energy Bill Roundtable (12 min MP3)
A GEM of a Vehicle
On my way out of the convention center yesterday here at the Clean Cities Congress, I stopped by the Ride & Drive and found myself in a Global Electric Motorcars vehicle.
Riding with me is the company’s CEO, Lawrence Oswald. He held the microphone while I drove and interviewed him so you’ll hear some road noise.
Larry tells us about his company and the vehicles they make. He makes a point that the electric vehicle is perfect for in-town driving for short distances where you can be on streets with relatively slow speed limits. With no engine emissions the vehicle is certainly not putting particulates into the air. These seem like they’d be great to have at farm shows too.
You can hear the interview here: Larry Oswald Interview (4 min MP3)
I also had to take a short video clip too, not something I recommend to the untrained: 
Ride & Drive (WMV file)
Perspective On Fuel Prices
I was very impressed today by the presentation here at the Clean Cities Congress given by J.J. Brown, Legislative Aide for Utah Senator Orrin Hatch. We’re hearing a lot of whining and complaining in the media about gas prices and lately a lot is being said about oil company profits. After hearing Senator McCain yesterday mention ADM and his lack of support for what he calls ethanol subsidies I think it’s time to put things into perspective.
JJ did just that today in his speech. It’s the best description of things from a global and United States perspective I’ve heard.
Some points that he made include the following. He wanted to bust the myth that oil company profits and the salaries of their CEO’s is responsible for the high price of gas. He said that taxing oil company profits and giving that money to tax funded government programs like Medicare won’t help generate a single drop of oil.
In the short term he thinks alternative fuels will go a long way to help us feed our hunger for fuel. He said that his boss, the Senator, fully supports renewable fuel alternatives and providing assistance to companies and organizations who want to build facilities to develop the various alternatives.
I recommend you listen to his talk: JJ Brown Speech (30 min MP3)
School’s Out For Today
I’m sorry for the lack of posting so far today. This Clean Cities Congress is a busy place. In fact, it’s almost time to head to the closing reception. Alice Cooper’s Town should be interesting. It’s where rock & jocks meet.
I’ve got several things to post for you from the event here. In the midwest we’re so familiar with ethanol and biodiesel it’s been interesting to learn more about some of our other alt fuel choices like natural gas.
Stay with me.
All About Alternative Fuels
This week I’m in Phoenix, AZ at the Clean Cities Congress & Expo. Since what happens in the alternative fuel industry is very important to anyone in agribusiness today I thought you’d be interested to hear from one of the most outspoken supporters there is. He’s Will Kleindienst, Chairman of the Congress and former mayor of Palm Springs, CA.
Before getting to him you can hear what Senator John McCain thinks of government assistance for the ethanol industry. He was a keynote speaker at the conference this morning.
Full coverage of the Clean Cities Congress can be found on Domestic Fuel.
You can listen to this week’s program here: ZimmCast 68 (13 min MP3)
The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes.