Chuck is out hunting with no internet access, I am on location covering the Cellulosic Ethanol Summit and two groups decide to have dueling telephone press conferences. What’s a blogger to do?

What I did was put my cell phone on speaker and record it on to my mini Marantz. Worked out pretty well too – not all broadcast quality, but if I had to, I would use it.

Listen here – a couple of sound bites from each conference: dueling-conferences.mp3

The first press conference, held by a group called “Food Before Fuel” which includes food companies and livestock organizations, called for a repeal of “subsidies for ethanol in light of its harmful effects on the environment, consumers and numerous industries.”

The second group – newly-formed Growth Energy – struck back two hours later. . “The federal government has an important role in supporting programs that promote the common good,” said Dave Vander Griend, President & CEO of ICM, Inc. and board member of Growth Energy. “Whether by funding anti-poverty programs like food stamps or championing renewable energy that will jumpstart our green economy and create jobs, we believe that it is good public policy to make smart investments for our nation’s future.”

Back at the summit today. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer will be here this morning.