I am one of six student recipients and the only California representative to be awarded a scholarship to the 16th Annual National Ethanol Conference:Building Bridges to a More Sustainable Future, in Phoenix, Arizona Feb.20-22, 2011. The Renewable Fuels Association and the Renewable Fuels Foundation will be providing us with complimentary registration to the conference along with opportunities to network and engage with various stakeholders within the ethanol industry. I am really excited and honored to be one of the recipients of this student scholarship since I am an ethanol fuel enthusiast, seeking to build a career in marketing communications and PR within the ethanol industry.
A big THANK YOU filled with GRATITUDE goes out to Pacific Ethanol, a producer and marketer of ethanol, that will be sponsoring me to attend the NEC conference. Pacific Ethanol will cover the costs of my travel and hotel accommodations. I am looking forward to meeting various industry stakeholders to discuss strategies about how to expand market access to E85. Infrastructure and progressive public policy for the ethanol industry is key. Most importantly, the ethanol industry needs support and momentum by the people - every day working people and businesses to understand the economic, environmental, and health benefits of ethanol fuel. This demand and consciousness is critical and will create the necessary infrastructure changes for the ethanol industry long-term. Propel Fuels, a retailer of both biodiesel and ethanol, greatly understands the need to educate and outreach to its customers.
Propel Fuels is receiving support from the DOE to build and operate 75 clean fueling stations throughout California by 2011, in areas that are convenient for Flex Fuel Drivers. Ethanol Producer Magazine interviewed Matt Horton, CEO, of Propel Fuels and Horton explained that, '"We think there is a great opportunity in this country to localize fuel production and consumption....One of the barriers for many station owners is just a lack of understanding of the market."' Read more...
This article with Matt Horton is really insightful and gives readers a thorough understanding of how to make ethanol more accessible to flex fuel drivers! I wish Matt Horton would speak at the NEC Conference. I am hoping Propel Fuels can expand its business model to Texas and collaborate with the Central Texas Clean Cities program. It is time for Texas to turn a new green leaf and become known for its clean biofuel initiatives instead of old dirty petroleum.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Saturday, December 11, 2010
My Response to the EPA: E15 sign
The EPA recently granted a waiver request to allow the use of E15 in vehicles model year 2007 and newer. It published a proposed rule that is now open for public comment regarding how E15 will be labeled.
With the help of American Coalition for Ethanol - http://www.ethanol.org/news/?newsid=172
I wrote the following and would like to share it with you all.
Air and Radiation Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0448, EPA,
Subject: Comments on Proposed Rule on E15 Labeling (EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0)
As an ethanol enthusiast, I use a 50/50 mixture of E85 fuel and gasoline in my non-flex fuel vehicle - 2005 Honda Civic. My car runs strong and I am substantially reducing green house gas emissions, while reducing my dependence on fossil fuels.
However, it is not good enough that I am just reducing carbon emissions. In effort to promote a sustainable future that reduces climate change, more people must use higher levels of high octane ethanol in their vehicles. As a result, E15 must be a necessary CHOICE at the pump! New studies show that E15 is completely SAFE for all gasoline engine vehicles, not just 2007 and newer vehicles. Stop adding artificial barriers that prevent customers from choosing ethanol!
Customers must have the right to choose ethanol, without fear and irrational linkages to problems that have no relation to the product. This is why the E15 warning sign should NOT be ORANGE!
Labeling policies should be fair; ethanol and other non-petroleum fuels should not be held to higher standards than petroleum-based fuels.
The color of the proposed label, orange, is typically used for warning or alarm, not informational use. EPA should follow the same guidelines as were used for labels on diesel pumps, and require only that the fuel be identified in a particular font size on a contrasting background.
I believe that the label should be in green and white, with white letter font on a green background and should read, "E15 is safe for all gasoline engine vehicles and helps to reduce green house gas emissions."
In the proposed label, the word "CAUTION!" presents an excessive tone of urgency. No such warning is required for any other fuel, and should not be required of E15.
The phrase "This fuel might damage other vehicles" is unwarranted, as EPA does not have the testing data to make such a statement. By stating that E15 “might” cause damage, EPA is essentially validating unsubstantiated claims of ethanol opponents.
Lastly, there should be an educational sign next to all E15 pumps that explain the BENEFITS of using E15, with regard to its high octane level and reducing carbon monoxides, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons. The EPA should also list its website and 1800-number on the sign for consumers.
Sincerely,
Kai Nortey
With the help of American Coalition for Ethanol - http://www.ethanol.org/news/?newsid=172
I wrote the following and would like to share it with you all.
Air and Radiation Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0448, EPA,
Subject: Comments on Proposed Rule on E15 Labeling (EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0)
As an ethanol enthusiast, I use a 50/50 mixture of E85 fuel and gasoline in my non-flex fuel vehicle - 2005 Honda Civic. My car runs strong and I am substantially reducing green house gas emissions, while reducing my dependence on fossil fuels.
However, it is not good enough that I am just reducing carbon emissions. In effort to promote a sustainable future that reduces climate change, more people must use higher levels of high octane ethanol in their vehicles. As a result, E15 must be a necessary CHOICE at the pump! New studies show that E15 is completely SAFE for all gasoline engine vehicles, not just 2007 and newer vehicles. Stop adding artificial barriers that prevent customers from choosing ethanol!
Customers must have the right to choose ethanol, without fear and irrational linkages to problems that have no relation to the product. This is why the E15 warning sign should NOT be ORANGE!
Labeling policies should be fair; ethanol and other non-petroleum fuels should not be held to higher standards than petroleum-based fuels.
The color of the proposed label, orange, is typically used for warning or alarm, not informational use. EPA should follow the same guidelines as were used for labels on diesel pumps, and require only that the fuel be identified in a particular font size on a contrasting background.
I believe that the label should be in green and white, with white letter font on a green background and should read, "E15 is safe for all gasoline engine vehicles and helps to reduce green house gas emissions."
In the proposed label, the word "CAUTION!" presents an excessive tone of urgency. No such warning is required for any other fuel, and should not be required of E15.
The phrase "This fuel might damage other vehicles" is unwarranted, as EPA does not have the testing data to make such a statement. By stating that E15 “might” cause damage, EPA is essentially validating unsubstantiated claims of ethanol opponents.
Lastly, there should be an educational sign next to all E15 pumps that explain the BENEFITS of using E15, with regard to its high octane level and reducing carbon monoxides, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons. The EPA should also list its website and 1800-number on the sign for consumers.
Sincerely,
Kai Nortey
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Cool Ethanol Video: www.drivingethanol.org
I like this easy, fun, educational site about ethanol. Please share it!
http://www.drivingethanol.org/
The Renewable Fuels Standard is a policy that was developed by the federal government to ensure that 36 billion gallons of ethanol is produced by 2022. Now, what is our government doing to make sure that consumers have access to these billions of gallons of ethanol? Many people do not even have access to clean biofuels or ethanol in their city. We must eliminate these artificial barriers that prevent consumers from choosing ethanol at the pump, by demanding more blender pumps at all gas stations.
According to drivingethanol.org, "The Renewable Fuels Standard is a goal set by the government for increased ethanol production. There's just one set back - a regulatory cap that limits the amount of ethanol blended into our gasoline at 10 percent. New research indicates that our cars will run on higher blends. If the EPA increases this cap only 15 percent, it could create up to 136,000 new green - collar jobs, lower emissions, and make America more energy independent."
Source: http://www.drivingethanol.org/
http://www.drivingethanol.org/
The Renewable Fuels Standard is a policy that was developed by the federal government to ensure that 36 billion gallons of ethanol is produced by 2022. Now, what is our government doing to make sure that consumers have access to these billions of gallons of ethanol? Many people do not even have access to clean biofuels or ethanol in their city. We must eliminate these artificial barriers that prevent consumers from choosing ethanol at the pump, by demanding more blender pumps at all gas stations.
According to drivingethanol.org, "The Renewable Fuels Standard is a goal set by the government for increased ethanol production. There's just one set back - a regulatory cap that limits the amount of ethanol blended into our gasoline at 10 percent. New research indicates that our cars will run on higher blends. If the EPA increases this cap only 15 percent, it could create up to 136,000 new green - collar jobs, lower emissions, and make America more energy independent."
Source: http://www.drivingethanol.org/
Bio-waste to Ethanol: Animation video
I love this ST1 Bioethanol animation video because it discusses "dispersed bioethanol production." This concept shows the importance of having small bioethanol plants set up near bakeries, breweries, dairy factories, and food factories. The waste from these factories can be used for bioethanol production, through fermentation, instead of being sent to the landfill. This process reduces the transportation of waste from point A (bakery) to point B (ethanol plant).
Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqfW0VmONXc&feature=related
Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqfW0VmONXc&feature=related
How is Ethanol distributed in Brazil?
Check out this excellent virtual tour and video about how sugar cane ethanol is grown and distributed in Brazil. Learn more by clicking on the numbers that explain the process here:
http://sweeteralternative.com/about-sugarcane-ethanol/virtual-mill
http://sweeteralternative.com/about-sugarcane-ethanol/virtual-mill
Propel Fuels - Fueling Change in California
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| Filling up my 2005 Honda Civic, LX at Propel Fuels in Oakland. I was also excited to wear my Ivory Coast soccer jersey. It matches perfectly with Propel Fuels. Green, Yellow, and Orange are actually many of my favorite colors. I wanted to bring the spirit of international sports and international Ethanol together! It's about international and sustainable biofuels that reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Imagine how many millions of children with asthma would breathe better with cleaner fuel. |
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| Whooooh! Let's go E85. It feels good to promote green American jobs in the inner city and in rural areas. |
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| I did not see my 2005 Honda Civic on this information board, for approved FFV, but I decided to trust my mechanic and learn that most gasoline engines built after 1995 can use at most a 50/50 mixture of E85 and gasoline. We can look to Brazil for examples too. |
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| E85 is less expensive than both gasoline and bio-diesel. I also like how this sign makes it clear that Propel Fuels is NOT a Chevron Product, because many people think it is owned by Chevron. |
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