INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Gov. Mitch Daniels and Indiana Ag Director Andy Miller honored Cummins, Inc. on Feb. 27 with a reception at the statehouse. Cummins was the recipient of the 2008 National Biodiesel Innovation Award given by the National Biodiesel Board during its conference Feb. 3-6 in Orlando, Fla.<br>
The reception marked an occasion for industry leaders to take note of the Indiana company’s recognition at home.<br>
“Cummins has significantly elevated the acceptance of (biodiesel) in the eyes of the consumer,” said Charlie Smith, CEO of CountryMark.<br>
CountryMark, along with Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance (CICCA), hosted the reception with nearly 100 industry professionals in attendance.<br>
Smith also acknowledged biodiesel’s impact on Indiana agriculture.
“An estimated 65 percent of farmers in Indiana use a biodiesel blend. We think that is tremendous,” he added.<br>
Daniels praised Cummins for bringing new jobs to Indiana and for aiding the state’s position as a biofuel leader.<br>
“Cummins is consistently innovating and leading our state,” he said, calling them a “model business enterprise … They are leading the world from right here.”<br>
Daniels noted that Cummins’ efforts in biodiesel “bring new dollars to rural areas and small towns” and he asked consumers not to be “upset about $13 beans,” saying that innovations in the biodiesel field are good for all of Indiana.<br>
“These green technologies turn into smart money,” Daniels assured Indiana residents.<br>
For Cummins’ part, CEO Tim Solso said it is producing what customers want. “Increasingly, our customers want to power their vehicles using biodiesel fuel,” he said during his final remarks.
Solso acknowledged the biofuel industry’s strides toward making greener fuels readily available, but issued challenges to peers present as well, particularly in the area of production standards.
“Quality is up, but more needs to be done to make sure consistent, quality biodiesel is available,” he said.