From the Farm Yard to the Brickyard: Harking Applaudes IndyCar/Ethanol Partnership

FROM THE FARM YARD TO THE BRICKYARD: HARKIN APPLAUDES INDYCAR/ETHANOL PARTNERSHIP

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today welcomed the partnership between the IndyCar Series and ethanol as yet another step toward a renewable energy future. The Series currently fuels its cars with 100 percent methanol, a natural gas-based fuel. Beginning in 2006, the cars will run on a ten percent ethanol blend. By 2007, all IndyCar Series cars will run on 100 percent ethanol. In addition to the switch to ethanol, a Team Ethanol car will begin competing in the IndyCar Series this year.

"The IndyCar Series is the perfect partner and metaphor for the rapidly expanding ethanol industry," Harkin said. "Just as Indy cars race around the track, production and consumption of ethanol is racing toward record heights. But we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. We must continue to aggressively push for greater use of ethanol and other biofuels, and that includes passing a Renewable Fuels Standard, or RFS, this Congress."

Harkin has been a leading advocate in Congress for greater production and use of ethanol and other renewable sources of energy. As the ranking Democrat on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee and senator from the leading ethanol-producing state, Harkin is committed to passing an ambitious RFS this year. In addition, Harkin has sought other ways to utilize this cleaner-burning fuel, including recently introducing legislation to turn ethanol into hydrogen fuel for use in passenger vehicles. More information on Senator Harkin's work promoting ethanol and other biofuels can be found at www.harkin.senate.gov.

http://harkin.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=232848