The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Methanol Policy Forum 2012 March 27 in Washington DC


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

See Also: United States Energy Security Council - True American Patriots and Heroes Go to Bat for Alternative Fuels - EXCLUSIVE VIDEO

Co-Publishers Note : The Auto Channel will be there covering the event for you. As our regular readers know, we are outraged that existing domestic, sustainable and American mobility fuel solutions which can virtually overnight get Americans out from under the lash of the oil cartel, but never seem to get the political will (or courage) to make them ubiquitous.

Although we believe in a 100% tra-la-la green future, we also believe that the alt fuel direction Mr. Obama is now touting; "All of the Above" ; is naïve, wrong, seriously anti-American and helps continue to support our country’s 100 year old oil based fuel addiction.

The Auto Channel believes that there is a “Silver Bullet” solution available now (Methanol or Ethanol) that can begin to replace gasoline virtually overnight, and doesn’t need rocket science, any more tests or trials and will eliminate the seemingly accepted delay of 20, 30 or even another 100 years to become available. While during the delay OPEC continues to suck up American dollars, not only crippling our economy, but controlling our international policies, that’s just plain wrong!

Last November my partner Marc Rauch and I met with Professor Surya Prakash, Director of the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute at the University of Southern California to hear and discuss any advantages Methanol offers to replace gasoline, as opposed to our endorsement of Ethanol. I look forward to listening to him and other patriotic Americans tomorrow. If you have any questions you might like me to ask, e-me at bgordon@theautochannel.com.

Washington DC March 26, 2012; Methanol Policy Forum 2012 is a first-of-its-kind conference in Washington, D.C. bringing together industry leaders, energy policy experts, executive branch staff, Members of Congress, academics and the media to share information about  methanol’s potential as a liquid transportation fuel

The conference will highlight: market trends and pricing; the potential of natural gas, coal, renewable, and other resources to serve as methanol feedstocks; global vehicle technology and methanol fuel deployment; and public policy drivers.

With the renewed interest in methanol fuels in our nation’s capital, through this discussion, we seek to identify barriers to market penetration and policies that would serve to enhance fuel competition.

Schedule

8:15 AM-9:00 AM

Breakfast and Registration (Breakfast Sponsored by Methanex)

9:00 AM-9:15 AM

Opening Remarks

Gregory Dolan, Acting CEO, Methanol Institute

9:15 AM-9:30 AM

Keynote Address: David Sandalow, Assistant Secretary for Policy & International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy 

9:30 AM-9:45 AM

Introductory Remarks

Gal Luft, Co-Director, Institute for the Analysis of Global Security

9:45 AM-11:00 AM

Methanol Markets – A look at the factors that influence methanol – global markets, feedstock supply, natural gas prices, distribution and access.

  • Moderator: Greg Dolan, Acting CEO, Methanol Institute
  • Daniel Cohn, Senior Research Scientist, Head of Plasma Technology Division, MIT
  • Mark Berggren, Managing Director, Methanol Market Services Asia (MMSA)
  • Mike Herz, Vice President Marketing and Logistics, Methanex
  • Eyal Aronoff, Co-Founder, Fuel Freedom Foundation

11:00 AM - 11:15 AM 

Networking Break 

11:15 AM-12:30 PM

Avenues for Fuel Competition – Discussion about the technology and implementation of methanol as a transportation fuel, and the global experience.

  • Moderator: Matt Roberts, Government Affairs Manager for the Americas and Europe, Methanol Institute
  • Matthew Brusstar, Director, Advanced Powertrain Center, U.S. EPA
  • Peter Ward, Principal, Alternative Fuels Advocates, LLC.
  • Wang Maolin, Chairman, Chinese Association of Productivity Science (CAPS), Honorary Chairman, China Association of Alcohol & Ether Clean Fuels and Automobiles (CAAEFA) under China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF)

12:30 PM-2:00 PM

Lunch  Energy Security Through Fuel Choice  A conversation with members of the United States Energy Security Council.

Sponsored by Southern Chemical Corporation

  • Moderator: Anne Korin, Co-Director, Institute for the Analysis of Global Security
  • Hon. C. Boyden Gray, Former White House Counsel and Former Ambassador to the European Union
  • Hon. Jeffrey K. Harris, Former Director of the National Reconnaissance Office
  • Sen. Bennett Johnston, Former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
  • VADM. Dennis V. McGinn, President of the American Council on Renewable Energy
  • Hon. Robert "Bud" McFarlane, Fomer National Security Advisor
  • Hon. James G. Roche, Former Secretary of the U.S. Air Force

2:15 PM-3:45 PM

Moderator: Anne Korin, Co-Director, Institute for the Analysis of Global Security


Natural Gas and the Transportation Sector

  • Gal Luft, Co-Director, Institute for the Analysis of Global Security 
  • Peter Robertson, Senior Vice-President of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, America's Natural Gas Alliance
  • Vikram Rao, Executive Director, Research Triangle Energy Consortium
Congressional Outlook
  • Amit Ronen, Deputy Chief of Staff, Senator Cantwell (D-WA)
  • Neil Brown, Senior Professional Staff Member, Senator Lugar (R-IN)

3:45 PM - 4:00 PM 

Networking Break (Sponsored by Methanex)


4:00 PM-5:15 PM

Fuel from Biomass and Recycled CO2

  • Moderator: Matt Roberts, Government Affairs Manager for the Americas and Europe, Methanol Institute
  • Marie-Helene Labrie, Vice President of Government Affairs, Enerkem
  • Paul Wuebben, Senior Director for Renewable Energy, Carbon Recycling International
  • Professor Surya Prakash, Director, Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute, University of Southern California
  • Eelco Dekker, Chief Marketing Officer, BioMCN

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Reception at Article One Restaurant and Bar (at the Hyatt)