Governor Vilsack Reflects on Term as Coalition Chairman
"As I look around this room today, I am reminded of the partnerships - both old and new - and of the hard work and commitment that have sustained the ethanol industry across the United States. Special thanks and well wishes go to Governor Mike Johanns of Nebraska, who has worked diligently with me this past year, and will lead us on new paths as Coalition chair in 2001," Vilsack said. "I would like to take a few moments to discuss the achievements of the Governors' Ethanol Coalition during the past 11 months. Challenges and developments such as high gasoline prices, new environmental regulations and changing international markets have created opportunities for ethanol rarely seen in the last two decades. And without question, the Coalition has been at the forefront, tirelessly preserving and promoting ethanol's place in the transportation fuel market," Vilsack said. "The Coalition helped secure ethanol's role in Phase II of the Reformulated Gasoline Program. In part because of our contribution, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now encouraging the use of ethanol as the "oxygenate of choice," Vilsack said. "The Coalition also worked to secure ethanol's role in California's motor fuel market. This year, we initiated discussions with California to help increase the market share of ethanol. In 2000 the Coalition also initiated a national campaign to increase the market share of ethanol-blended fuels. "Incorporating the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition with its focus on E85 marketing and infrastructure development was part of these efforts," Vilsack said. "The Coalition requested the extension of Corporate Average Fuel Economy credits for alternatively fueled vehicles with the U.S. Department of Transportation. We worked with Dan Reicher, Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewables at the Department of Energy, along with other national leaders, to promote ethanol as a fuel source for fuel cells. The Coalition will serve on the Administration's Bioenergy and BioProducts Advisory Committee." "Another important objective for the Coalition has been to provide technical assistance and policy recommendations on the benefits of ethanol," Vilsack said. "On April 11, I gave testimony to the Senate Ag Committee on ethanol's critical position in value-added agriculture. We also established the Ethanol Coalition's Washington Representative Office as a resource for the Coalition to get timely information on key federal initiatives, legislation and policy affecting ethanol." "We held important discussions with Thailand and the People's Republic of China about ethanol's role in international markets. Today we host representatives from Thailand at our meeting, and both Iowa and Nebraska had the honor of hosting representatives from the People's Republic of China during the past year. Additionally members of the Coalition visited Thailand in August to share experiences about ethanol promotion and production," Vilsack said. "The State of Wyoming joined our coalition last March, and Governor Jim Geringer has been a welcome addition to our membership. And as a finale to our list of accomplishments, I am excited to report that Governor Gary Locke from the State of Washington joined the Governors' Ethanol Coalition as our 25th member." "Serving with the Governors' Ethanol Coalition has been a truly rewarding experience, reinforcing why we work so hard for our agricultural community, our environment, and the future of our nation's transportation fuel market. I believe ethanol has a critical place in this country, and I look forward to continued success through the Governors' Ethanol Coalition for many years to come," Vilsack said. |
