Texas (2000 EWS)

Over 80 people from agriculture, petroleum, academia, state agencies and the legislature participated in the Texas Ethanol Workshop, "Renewable Fuels for Rural Economic Development & Clean Air in Texas - a Rural-Urban Partnership", held September 27th in Austin. Speakers provided valuable information about strategic alliances with the petroleum industry, economic impacts and benefits of ethanol production in rural areas, El Paso's model clean air program using ethanol, developments with ethanol use in aviation fuels and biodiesel.

Other highlights of the program included an award presentation to winners of the Ethanol Vehicle Challenge program, Universities of Texas - Austin (1st place) and El Paso (4th place) and the E85 vehicle display. State Representative David Swinford spoke about the opportunities for economic development in rural areas from ethanol production. His district is looking to build and ethanol plant using corn and feeding the wet distillers grains to the local feedlots. Max Shauck spoke about the development for using ethanol in aviation fuels along with others who spoke about the market opportunities in Texas.

Bioenergy Coordinator: Pam Groce, State Energy Conservation Office, Ph: 512-463-1889, Fx: 512-475-2569, Email: pam.groce@cpa.state.tx.us.