CICCA Board Member and Executive Director Receive Paul Dana Leadership in Biofuels Award

Lt. Governor Gives Paul Dana Leadership in Biofuels Awards

Today, in a ceremony at the Indiana State House, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman handed out the first three Paul Dana Leadership in Biofuels Awards.  The honor, announced in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, was named in memory of IRL driver and biofuels advocate Paul Dana.  The first three recipients of the 2006 Paul Dana Leadership in Biofuels Award are Jon Lantz of Countrymark Coop, Mike Ladisch of Purdue University and Kellie Walsh of the Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance.

Paul Dana, an IRL driver killed in a racing accident this March in Florida , was a strong supporter of Indiana 's growing biofuels industry.  At the time of his death, Paul was working with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture on several biofuels initiatives and promotions. Paul's wife Tonya, brother, Greg and sister-in-law, Jill, were in attendance at this afternoon's ceremony. 

"Paul Dana was a man who understood the incredible upside to the development and use of biofuels," said Lt. Governor Skillman, who also serves as the 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."

The 2006 Award recipients are:

• Jon Lantz of Countrymark Coop is part of a team that is a nationwide leader in getting biodiesel to users. Countrymark has the most sophisticated rack injections system for biodiesel in the country.  More than 80% of the biodiesel in Indiana moves through Countrymark.
• Dr. Mike Ladisch of Purdue University is a distinguished professor and directs the Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering. He is a leader in researching cellulosic ethanol and is helping Indiana lead the way to the next generation of ethanol technology.
• Kellie Walsh of the Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance has been i nstrumental in getting many E85 public pumps installed across the state.  She runs one of the top five Clean Cities programs in the country and just received the Coordinator ' s Choice award for best Clean Cities coordinator.   

Mr. Dana was instrumental in getting the Indy Racing League to commit to using ethanol.  This year the IRL is running on 10 percent ethanol in its cars and 100 percent ethanol next year.

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 Hoosier workers, pump at least $21.5 billion into the state's rural economies, and lead to more than $1.67 billion in capital investment.

Read the story on the National Clean Cities Site