Group of national experts gathers in Brookings to discuss what can be done to curb high gas prices.
Story Created:
May 22, 2007 at 8:31 PM CST
Story Updated:
May 23, 2007 at 8:49 AM CST
The National Agricultural Bio-Tech Council is kicking off its 19th annual conference on the campus of South Dakota State University in Brookings.
Former Senator Tom Daschle spoke to the crowd Tuesday night. The group that gathered to listen to him consisted of experts from all sides of the bio-fuels industry and all parts of the country, including one that made the trip on pure butanol.
"It'll go in your car. It'll go in your car. It'll go in anybody's car without conversion. No modifications. Just pour it right in your tank," said Dave Ramey.
Ramey and his son, Steve, have driven their butanol Buick across the country to raise awareness for the little known bio-fuel.
"We can use the same corn that we can to make butanol as we do ethanol," said Ramey.
The problem now is mass producing butanol cheaply. Lucky for Ramey, the conference also brings together policy groups which hold the promise of research funding.
"We can get everyone in the same room and compare notes. Get one hand talking to the other and figure out what we can do," said Brendan Jordan, Great Plains Institute.
And so it will go for the next three days. Energy crop producers, conversion technology experts and even college students will share ideas and learn from South Dakota's example at the same time.
"Actually when I came here I hardly knew anything about South Dakota and I learned a lot already and tomorrow we're taking some field trips to an ethanol producing plant," said University of Kentucky Grad. Student Tom Niehaus.
"It's not such a big deal in New York or Washington where I'm from but here the fact that there's all these plants and things to see just right here. It's really neat," said Cornell University Grad. Student Sarah Collier.
It's also really timely considering the discussion is happening at the same time that gasoline is at an all-time high.
"Now 25 percent of our energy coming from the land may not be a dream, it may be a necessity even before 2025," said Bill Richards, Co-Chair of 25x25.
"If there's any silver lining to gas prices it is that we have an opportunity to see other fuels blossom and with that real competition in the energy industry," said Former Senator Tom Daschle.
The conference will last for three days.
Wednesday, several groups will be touring local bio-fuel plants and SDSU Labs.
The National Ag Biotech Council consists largely of the nation's land grant universities like SDSU and others.
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