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2001 National Travel Seminar
Class Diary |
March 15, 2001
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Energy &
Environmentalists
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Washington D.C.
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The lights of understanding came on as the IALF Class of 2002
entered the domain of the Department
of Energy on Thursday, March 15. Passing through the most
intensive security in the city of Washington, the 30 class members
were welcomed by Valerie Sarisky-Reed, who outlined the department’s
dedication to biobased fuels. "Today the watchword on ethanol
is grow."
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| Dr. Valerie Sarisky-Reed,
program manager of Biobased fuels from the Department of Energy |
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Doug Faulkner, DOE Senior Advisor and native of Maroa, IL, discussed
how the department is joint venturing with farmers and corporate
America. "We are in the early stages of developing more energy
research and development." Could American agriculture become
the new Saudi Arabia of energy? Mark Paster, Team Lead of
Agriculture Biobased Products, talked about an array of products
that could result from ag products—including a plant already in
production that is producing fibers and plastics.
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| Eric Vaughn addresses the group
about the future of ethanol. |
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Paul Grabowski gave us background information on co-firing that
could open up opportunities for individual producers to become
involved in energy production. Eric Vaughn, President and CEO of the
Renewable Fuels Association,
fueled our perspectives about the tremendous future of ethanol
during a luncheon sponsored by Archer Daniels Midland Co.
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| "Ethanol can replace MTBE and we can deliver on
our promises," said Vaughn.
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| Phil Donahoe
poses a challenging question to Eric Vaughn |
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Challenged to look at the other side of the issues, IALF class
members were treated to the Dr. Margaret Mellon, Food and
Environment Program Director, Union
of Concerned Scientists. "We are not opposed to
biotechnology, but we are being realistic. Europe’s decision to
pass on biotechnology is entirely rational. The interesting thing
is how long it took a market savvy U.S. agriculture to realize
people didn’t want it," said Mellon.
Breaking into IALP Public Policy study groups, the class members
headed out to meet with key policy leaders. Transportation group
members, Mary Auth, Jeff Brown, Tricia Matzenbacher, Steve Hawkins
and Dale Clary were invited to attend two hearings related to the
Upper Mississippi River System and the Corps of Engineers
navigation study. The Biotech committee, Tim Seifert, Matt Foes,
Norm Larson, Matt Bennett and Pam Henderson met with the
"real" Starlink whistleblower, Larry Bohlen, from the
environmental group, "Friends of the Earth."
U.S. Trade Representative for
Agricultural Affairs, James M. Murphy, filled the group in on
the new definition of fast track, now called "U.S Trade
Promotion Authority" (TPA). He turned the tables on the group
and asked how agricultural leaders would construct the new farm
bill.
Chairs: Norman Larson, William
Leigh and David Logsdon
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