In This Issue:

FYI Newsletter Volume 7, Issue 21, November 26, 2002 

•   Monsanto Sports E85 Bumper Stickers •   GOP - Leaning Energy Legislation Not a Certainty for 2003 •   No Energy Bill from the 107th Congress •   Governors' Ethanol Coalition Meeting •   Funds Available for E85 Infrastructure •   Replace Foreign Oil with Home-Grown Fuel •   Letters to the NEVC
	The NEVC would like to wish all of our E85 supporters a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday!

 Monsanto Sports E85 Bumper Stickers

 GOP - Leaning Energy Legislation Not a Certainty for 2003

- by Deborah Shapley of National Journal's CongressDaily, November 20, 2002  

Despite the return to Republican control of Congress in January, many energy lobbyists and their legislative allies are expecting tough battles in a renewed campaign for a comprehensive energy policy bill. Many of the same issues that ultimately stalled energy legislation this year will return, as thorny as ever. 

"Industry may go for an expanded version of last year's House bill. But I suspect they'll find it difficult," said Daniel Becker of the Sierra Club. "The votes haven't changed that much." Lobbyists, environmentalists and lawmakers are girding for a rematch over Bush administration calls for oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - plus a package of tax breaks sought by the oil and gas industry and a proposed federal mandate for corn-based ethanol as the new clean fuel for the nation's cars. 

In addition, White House demands for electricity restructuring will spark more fighting over electricity provisions in the bill. 

The results of this month's elections delighted oil and gas industry lobbyists, who are eager to work again with House Energy and Commerce Chairman Tauzin and Senator Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) now slated to take over the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. 

"Senator Domenici will be looking for a more production-oriented bill with not as much emphasis on conservation and renewable issues," predicted Lee Fuller, Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Association of America. 

Tauzin spent the past four months trying to get energy bill conferees from the Democratic-controlled Senate to go along with the House's version, which reflected White House preferences. 

But even an attempt to steer a stripped-down bill through the lame-duck session failed, although Tauzin managed to win final passage of a gas pipeline safety measure. 

"We now have a road map, and we know where the hairpin turns are," a Tauzin spokesman declared. "We expect a smoother ride." 

But the returning issues do not break neatly along party lines, several players in the recent energy debate cautioned. 

Proposals to change federal mandates on clean-burning gasoline, for example, have pitted advocates of ethanol - many from the farm states - against champions of the oil-based fuel additive MTBE, now in 10 percent of the gas sold in major cities. 

In addition, this year's House bill's $20.3 billion in tax breaks, to encourage the oil and gas industry to find new sources of energy, could be hard to pass next year if the price of oil rises, warned outgoing Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Bingaman - who passes the gavel to fellow New Mexican Domenici when the 108th Congress convenes in January. 

Oil prices already are at a 15-year high of almost $30 per barrel and headed higher, with a war against Iraq looming. Nonetheless, some legislators believe higher prices could generate public demand for an energy bill - even one that uses tax incentives to help reduce dependence on foreign oil. 

Another problem this past year, according to Bob Simon - Democratic staff director for the Energy and Natural Resources panel - was that "the general attention of the public to energy issues was not at an intense level." 

Simon recalled that the previous major energy bill, enacted in 1992, responded to the public's interest after the 1991 Persian Gulf War in energy production and conservation - without opening Alaska's wilderness to drillers. 

"Energy bills are sufficiently complex and the politics sufficiently regional that it is no surprise that we only try to do one of these every 10 years," Simon said.

 No Energy Bill from the 107^th Congress

As the preceding story outlines, the 107^th Congress has adjourned without the passage of a National Energy Bill.  The NEVC worked hard with a number of alternative fuel groups to advance the provision of federal income tax credits to support the use of alternative fuels.  In partnership with the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, Propane Vehicle Institute, Electric Vehicle Coalition of the America’s and environmental groups such as the Union of Concerned Scientists, Natural Resource Defense, and others, additional incentives were INCLUDED in the Senate version of the Energy Bill.  Unfortunately, the Congress simply ran out of time in this session and was unable to come to a mutually agreeable compromise between the Senate and House versions of the Bill. 

The Bush Administration has recently indicated that it supports reintroduction of Energy Legislation in the 108^th Session of the Congress that is scheduled to reconvene in January of 2003.  Given the likelihood of a conflict in the Middle East, it appears that the need to update and revise the 1992 Energy Bill remains certain.  

In the next several weeks, the NEVC will be considering our next course of action in regard to the advancement of alternative fuels in any pending National Energy Legislation.  Your comments and inputs regarding this process would be most appreciated.

Governors' Ethanol Coalition Meeting

At the November 14, 2002 meeting of the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition (GEC), Missouri Governor Bob Holden was presented an award for his leadership and support of domestic renewable fuels.  Governor Holden served as the Chairman of the GEC during 2002.  North Dakota Governor John Hoeven will serve as GEC Chairman during 2003.

Governor Holden (center) was presented with a award from the NEVC by (left) Todd Sneller, Vice-Chair of the NEVC and Executive Director of the Nebraska Ethanol Board, and (right) Rick Tolman, Chief Executive Officer of the National Corn Growers and a member of the NEVC Board of Directors.

The NEVC released an E85 Infrastructure Solicitation on November 18, 2002, announcing that we have funds available through the federal fiscal year 2002 Congressional Appropriation that was made to advance E85 infrastructure.  A total of about $350,000 will be distributed by the beginning of February 2003.

“The money will be distributed where E85 locations are most needed and will be prosperous,” said NEVC Executive Director, Phil Lampert. 

A copy of the application is available at http://www.e85fuel.com/application.htm.  All applications must be submitted by January 16, 2003 to qualify for the funds.  The submissions must be made electronically to limit the amount of paperwork and simplify the process. 

Along with the application, one will find a copy of the vendor contract that will be required if monies are granted, and spreadsheets directing how E85 should be priced.   

The NEVC is excited about the wonderful opportunity this grant will give many cities throughout the country.   We encourage all who are interested to apply for these monies to help make our nation less dependent on foreign oil.  For additional questions, contact Michelle Saab by email at info@e85.com or by phone toll free at 877-485-8595.

- from "Letters to the Editor" of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 16, 2002

Great. The Bush administration is again pushing for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The reason for drilling is to reduce dependence on foreign oil. A better solution is to get rid of much of the oil. This can be done through the establishment of an E85 fuel infrastructure.

E85 is a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Along with reducing dependence on foreign oil, it will be a boon to farmers since it is made from corn. Having a base of corn makes it renewable. It also burns cleaner, reducing hydrocarbon and benzene emissions, as well as carbon dioxide emissions.

It is also safer for the environment if a spill occurs, because it degrades quickly in water.

There are also other benefits to E85 as well, the first being performance. E85 has an octane rating of 100+, and an increase in octane results in an increase in engine performance.

Most if not all new vehicles are compatible with E85 from the factory. Even if a car is not compatible, it can be converted at low cost. The infrastructure simply does not exist now. Once the infrastructure exists, today's higher cost will quickly disappear.

At the University of Missouri at Rolla, the Formula SAE team which I am a part of builds racecars fueled by E-85. If Congress and the White House are serious about reducing our dependence on foreign oil, rather than lining their pockets from the oil industry, E-85 must be instituted now.

Alex Hofstetter
Rolla, Missouri

 Letters to the NEVC

Letters to the NEVC - This section highlights emails that the NEVC has recently received.  Many of the comments or suggestions that we receive are of interest to a wider audience and we would like to share them with our readers.

“Antidotal” Evidence

This email was written to NEVC Executive Director, Phil Lampert. . .  

Phil:

I have been enjoying your newsletter and seeing the progress you are making with ethanol. Please understand that my email is not intended as a slight in any way, but it struck me funny considering both our experiences in alcohol fuels. In your response to a letter from Mike Lemieux, you stated that "antidotal evidence" when I think you meant to say "anecdotal evidence", but it struck me funny knowing that the antidote for methanol poisoning-- is ethanol. What is the antidote for ethanol?

At times when we get caught up in the important things we do, I think it is important to recognize humor, even when unintended. Hope this finds you well--and with a smile.

Regards,
Peter

Ethanol Incentives

This email was written to NEVC Executive Director, Phil Lampert. . . 

Popular support for the ethanol incentives and industry may be quickly obtained by holding public forums with E85 running vehicles on display.

Last year, I ran an E85 Day in downtown Chicago.  Not one media outlet covered it, but foot traffic was estimated at 10,000, and I believe it succeeded in getting the word out to multitudes of people who heretofore did not know E85 even existed.

When Congressman Tauzin realizes that ethanol will emulate President Bush in getting our message out by going directly to the people, he and any other politician who can count electoral votes represented by farming states, and those with independent voters who want to do what's best for the ecology, the economy and the country, will quickly understand the myriad of benefits to be derived from supporting the ethanol industry.   

Sincerely,
E85 supporter

I Know Nothing About E85. . .

This email was written to NEVC Director of Communications, Michelle Saab. . .   

Michelle,

I know absolutely nothing about E85.  Your press release about McChord Air Force Base acquiring it is the first time I’d ever heard of it. 

However, I am concerned with our environment and am wondering how does the miles per gallon of E85 compare with that of Regular unleaded (87 octane)?  Is E85 interchangeable with regular gasoline or does it require a special engine or modifications?  If modifications, what is the cost?  Also, what's the cost difference between E85 and Regular?  Bottom line:  Is it advantageous for me to consider E85, if and when it comes to this part of the world (Valdosta, Georgia)?

Again, thank you for your time.  I am seriously curious about alternative fuels, but to date have seen no likely candidates for personal use, due to extremely high cost and lack of availability.

-DVB

. . .

Sir,

E85 receives about 5-10 percent less miles per gallon to that of 87 octane gasoline.  HOWEVER, it has an octane rating of 100+.  Vehicles that may fuel with E85 are called flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs).  Over 2 million vehicles including Ford, GM and DaimlerChrysler models can run on the clean burning fuel.  You may find a complete listing of the vehicles at www.E85Fuel.com.  There are no switches to flip, no extra training involved with E85.  The engine control module within the vehicle "reads" the amount of oxygen within the fuel blend enabling drivers to fuel with 100% gasoline up to 85% ethanol.  E85 is domestically grown, made from the bi-products of corn, therefore, reduces our dependency on foreign oil.  E85 infrastructure is on the rise.  Refueling locations are opening rapidly.  In fact, the NEVC has about $350,000 that we will be distributing in mid-January to secure more E85 sites.  You may find a current listing of E85 refueling sites on our website at www.E85fuel.com.

. . .

None of my vehicles are listed and there are no E85 fueling locations in the state of Georgia.  However, I will be watching for it, if it ever gets here and will consider an E85 vehicle when I next purchase one.

Thanks again, Michelle, I appreciate your time and efforts.  Enjoyed the website.

-DVB

Congratulations!

This email was written to NEVC Director of Communications, Michelle Saab. . .

Hello Michelle and congratulations on the opening today of the E85 fueling station at McChord Air Force Base.

We have several E-85 vehicles that could this new station. 

Thank you!
Don Martinson
Pacific Region FDA

Thanks for the emails to the NEVC!  Feel free to email us with your comments at anytime.

NEVC Calendar

January 9-10, 2003
Southwest Regional Airport Clean Vehicle Conference at the Sheraton Grand Hotel at DFW International Airport. For more information email cap@cleanairports.com or call (303) 462-1647.

February 17-19, 2003
8^th Annual National Ethanol Conference: Policy and Marketing at the Camelback Inn Marriott Resort in Scottsdale, AZ.  For more information, call BBI International at (800) 567-6411.

February 18-20, 2003
Western Petroleum Marketers Association Annual meeting and trade show for February 18- 20, Las Vegas, NV.   For more information, visit www.wpma.com.

February 27 – March 1, 2003
2003 Commodity Classic at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC.  For more information, visit www.commodityclassic.com.

February 28 – March 3, 2003
The National Farmer’s Union 101^st anniversary convention in Anaheim, CA.  For more information, visit http://www.nfu.org/.

May 4-7, 2003
25^th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals in Breckenridge, Colorado.  For more information, visit http://www.nrel.gov/biotech_symposium/

May 18-21, 2003
9^th National Clean Cities Conference and Exposition in Palm Springs, CA.  For more information, call (303) 275-4317.

June 11-13, 2003
EPAC’s 13^th Annual Ethanol Conference in Big Sky, MT.  For more information, email shirley@ethanolmt.org.

June 16-19, 2003
BBI International’s International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Trade Show at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in Sioux Falls, SD.  For more information, visit www.bbiethanol.com or email conferences@bbiethanol.com.

September 21-23,2003
The US Refining and Automotive Industries 2003 and Beyond - Coming Together of Energy, Environmental & Economic Issues in Washington, DC at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill.  For more information, visit call 1-800-872-3835.

CONTACT US. . .

Please feel free to e-mail your story suggestions, comments, corrections or clarifications to us at info@e85fuel.com or call us toll free at 877-485-8595.

Phillip J. Lampert, Executive Director
info@e85.com

Michelle Saab, Director of Communications
info@e85.com

Randa Barker, Director of Administration
info@e85.com

You may view this FYI online at
http://www.e85fuel.com/news/index.htm

NEVC  promotes the use of 85 percent ethanol as a renewable form of alternative transportation fuel while enhancing agricultural profitability, advancing environmental stewardship and promoting national energy independence.