Text 101, 76 rader
Skriven 2006-09-02 08:39:00 av Mike Powell (1:2320/105.0)
Ärende: DANA BIOFUELS AWARDS PRES
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INDIANA LT. GOV. PRESENTS INAUGURAL PAUL DANA BIOFUELS AWARDS

INDIANAPOLIS, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2006 -- Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman
honored the first three recipients of the Paul Dana Leadership in Biofuels
Awards on Aug. 28 in a ceremony at the Indiana State House.

The award, announced during 90th Indianapolis 500 activities in May at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, was named in memory of Indy Racing League
IndyCar Series driver and biofuels advocate Paul Dana.

The recipients of the 2006 Paul Dana Leadership in Biofuels Award are Jon
Lantz, vice president of supply and marketing for Countrymark Coop; Dr. Mike
Ladisch, a professor at Purdue University who directs the school's laboratory
of renewable resources engineering; and Kellie Walsh, executive director of
the Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance.

Dana, an IndyCar Series driver killed in a racing accident in March at
Homestead-Miami Speedway, was a strong supporter of Indiana's biofuels
industry, which is expanding rapidly and assuming a leadership role among all
states. At the time of his death, Dana was working with the Indiana State
Department of Agriculture on several biofuels initiatives and promotions.

Dana's mother, Mary, wife, Tonya, brother, Greg and sister-in-law, Jill,
attended the ceremony.

"Paul Dana was a man who understood the incredible upside to the development
and use of biofuels," said Skillman, who also serves as Indiana's secretary
of agriculture and rural development. "He could see the many benefits
biofuels offer to our nation, to our environment and to our farmers. He used
his position and energy to make great strides in this area. The three
individuals we honor today are examples of the dedication and vision that
marked Paul Dana's life and legacy."

Lantz is part of a team at Countrymark Coop that is a nationwide leader in
getting biodiesel to users. More than 80 percent of the biodiesel in Indiana
moves through Countrymark.

Ladisch is a leader in researching cellulosic ethanol and is helping Indiana
lead the way to the next generation of ethanol technology, while Walsh has
been instrumental in getting many E85 public pumps installed across the state.

"Because I knew Paul and his commitment to this cause, it (the award) is very
special to me," Walsh said. "I looked to Paul as a leader and someone who
opened my eyes. The award will have a prominent place in my office, and I
will look at it daily for inspiration."

Dana was instrumental in convincing IndyCar Series officials to commit to
using ethanol. This year the IRL is running a 90 percent methanol, 10 percent
ethanol fuel blend in its cars. In 2007, the series switches to a 100-percent
ethanol fuel.

Indiana is quickly becoming a leader in the nation's biofuels industry. In
May 2005, the state had one ethanol plant. Today there are twelve additional
ethanol plants and three biodiesel plants in some phase of development or
production. These facilities will create 675 new jobs for Indiana workers,
pump at least $21.5 billion into the state's rural economies and lead to more
than $1.67 billion in capital investment.

"Paul connected the innovation of the Ethanol industry with the notoriety of
the Indy Racing League, and he brought biofuels to the front page," Skillman
said. "Indiana has assumed a proactive, leadership role in America's struggle
for energy independence, and Paul Dana played a very large part in that."

***

2007 Indianapolis 500 tickets: The 91st Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for
Sunday, May 27, 2007. Fans are encouraged to submit their ticket applications
for the race to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as soon as possible. The most
convenient, fastest method is online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.

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