EcoTrek

I honestly thought my home team would welcome me with open arms.  Well, I was wrong.  I had to earn my way onto this team, and it wasn’t going to be easy.

Over 100 “green-minded” and influential professionals came to L.A. Green Drink’s “Victory Reception” in celebration of EcoTrek surpassing 10,000 miles in our truck fueled by POET cellulosic ethanol.

I thought this group would welcome my message enthusiastically.  Nope! But, they did even better.  They challenged me with probing questions and constructive cynicism that helped me hone my skills. 

You see, all of us preservationist have been seduced, then burned by false promises pitched by companies that green-washed their message to make us think that they’re actually helping our environment.  Some of us have unknowingly gotten behind such messages, only to be embarrassed by our naive overzealousness.  This has made us pursue deeper knowledge of so-called environmental products.   Such was the case with the Green Drinks crew.

They asked amazingly insightful questions that required honest, intelligent answers.   Some delivered their pitch and then peered at me waiting for a sign of uncertainty.

But, instead of cowering from the intense questioning, I felt myself growing stronger.  Like a minor league ball player being called up to the Big League, I faced an All-Star line-up and swung for the fences.   My time in training during the past months with teams from all over the country prepared me for each curve ball and wild pitch that was flung at me.   I swung away at each question.

Did I hit a home-run?  Not with each answer.  But, I knew I was helping my team as the applause grew.  Most rewarding, was when some of the toughest players shouted out “Thank you” during my delivery.  After all I had been through during the past months; it was incredibly rewarding to know that my hometown team supported me.   It’s nice to know you have a solid team behind you during those long road trips.

Nathan Schock of POET introduced me to Green Drinks while I was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Since then, Green Drinks chapters have hosted me throughout the country.  If you enjoy socializing with fun, environmentally-conscious people, look for a Green Drinks chapter in your area.

A special thanks to Line-X (www.linex.com), Elizabeth Zampolli (www.lagreendrinks.org), Trisha Prezioso (www.nashevents.com ), Wide Planks Flooring (www.wideplankflooring.com) and Propel Fuels (www.propelfuels.com) for making EcoTrek’s Victory Reception such a huge success. 

And, thanks to POET (www.projectliberty.com) for making our 10,000-mile journey, fueled by POET cellulosic ethanol, possible.

On the night of March 10, 2011, I went to bed looking forward to meeting the reporters that confirmed their coverage of my return to the Santa Monica Pier as I surpassed driving 10,000-miles on POET cellulosic ethanol.  ABC, CBS, Fox and CNN had all verified their coverage of EcoTrek’s historic milestone “unless some crazy disaster takes place.”

No one could have predicted the horrible events to follow. 

Japan’s 9.0 earthquake, Tsunami and nuclear radiation disaster will cause untold deaths, destruction and misery for years to come.  It certainly deserves more attention than my completion of the Best of America Tour and I won’t exploit Japan’s misery by weaving any distracting messages into my writings.

Right now, all of our attention, efforts and available resources should be focused on Japan’s rescue and recovery efforts.

What I will say is that some of the best things in America are American, and I’m proud of the support we are providing to Japan.  This includes our prayers, financial contributions and the heroic efforts of our military and civilian rescue teams.   I’m overwhelmed that America’s superpower-status goes well beyond our military might and that our super powers provide unmatched relief and life-saving support in every corner of the world.  God be with Japan and those who are helping in their recovery.

I still arrived at the Santa Monica Pier on 3.11.11 achieving my goal, and all of the media that promised to be there was there.  However, their cameras and attention were directed at the Pacific Ocean in anticipation of a Tsunami.   They did their job and I did mine, and on this day our roles didn’t connect.

The “official” end date of the Best of America Tour Fueled by POET cellulosic ethanol came and went with little fanfare, and that’s okay.  Our hearts and prayers were where they were supposed to be – supporting those in need.  The important thing is that the best of America came through that day.

EcoTrek's truck returned to the Santa Monica Pier on 3.11.11 after driving 10,000 miles on POET cellulosic ethanol.

EcoTrek’s journey to advance the use of renewable fuels remains on the right path.  We will still provide educational programs highlighting POET cellulosic ethanol and other viable renewable fuels.  We will continue to advocate responsible transportation and we will highlight the Best of America for a long time to come, both in America and throughout the world.

Please continue to follow our progress and look for us at local events or schools, or anywhere around the globe, via our website.

Again, I was able to use my rooftop tent (www.autohomeus.com) to camp out.  This time, I was at Lake Arcadia in Edmond, Oklahoma, just north of Oklahoma City.

One of the best parts of this journey has been enjoying a great American Road Trip and camping out in my truck, when possible.  From my rooftop condo, I’ve awaken to the thunderous crashing of Mavericks’ giant waves in Half Moon Bay, CA, the bright sunshine in Albuquerque, NM, the howling winds of the Great Plains, the fishing boats riding the tides in the Gulf Coast and other uniquely American sites, before reaching Lake Arcadia in Oklahoma.

All of these places have been amazing, but this small lake, which is all but abandoned in the winter, provided a front-row seat to an unforgettable event – a spectacular and immensely powerful lightning storm, which I marveled at throughout the night. 

This display reminded me of the intense power of nature, which has moved mountains, carved canyons and even reshaped continents.

Nature’s energy is all around us and I didn’t need to be struck by a bolt of lightning to realize this.  Wave, solar, wind and tidal power was literally sounding a wakeup call for me nearly every morning of this trip, as it has been doing, figuratively, for mankind for eons.

Enjoying nature on this trip has been a blessing, but using nature to power my journey has been most rewarding.  While waves, the sun, wind or tides can’t power my truck (yet), nature created corn cobs and husks that, thanks to POET, can fuel my propulsion.

Nathan Schock of POET calls corn “nature’s batteries.”    He has a point.  Nature really is storing power in plants, just like we have been storing power in batteries for some time.  The difference is nature’s batteries don’t require strip mining, chemical processing, toxic manufacturing or costly disposal. 

 Thankfully, POET is converting nature’s “batteries” into fuel.  Better yet, through Project Liberty (www.projectliberty.com) they’re now using “field residue” like corn cobs and husks to make fuel.   And, they’re doing this without requiring any additional fuel, fertilizer or water. 

Unleashing the power within “nature’s batteries” has enabled me to enjoy an American Road Trip and experience many of the natural splendors within this great nation.   This includes the beauty of Lake Arcadia.

EcoTrek’s Best of America Tour fueled by POET Cellulosic Ethanol is about many things, and a visit to Pensacola, FL enabled me to point out a few of them.

Pensacola and the entire Gulf of Mexico continue to be affected by BP’s Deep Water Horizon massive oil spill.  Millions of wondrous creatures died and will continue to die because of that disaster.  (Please read these articles: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_sci_oil_spill_lingers and http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_markets_oil.)

As part of EcoTrek’s Best of America Tour, I wanted to physically help clean up a beach in the Gulf Coast and try to bring attention to the fact that BP’s mess could have been avoided altogether if Americans committed themselves to organic renewable fuels. 

While the beaches in Pensacola are remarkably beautiful, there are still some minor visible flaws.  Unfortunately, as I prepared to pick up some of these flaws – tar balls near the water – I was curtly stopped by BP contractors.  They said that I wasn’t “HAZMAT approved” for such labor.  So, defiantly, yet happily, I spent several days just walking on the beach picking up petroleum-based plastic bottles, bags and beverage holders – all of which could be made from organic, biodegradable materials. 

Thus, as one priority of my visit here was being handled, it was time to address another priority – paying respect to America’s Armed Forces.

This Western Florida community hosts Naval Air Station, Pensacola – home of the Navy Blue Angels, National Naval Aviation Museum, several historic military buildings and thousands of patriots who have dedicated their lives to protecting our amazing nation.

Visiting this location, and writing about it, reconnected me to my past as a “Navy Brat.”  But, as I walked through the museum and historic sites, my patriotism grew, and I was reminded of the many sacrifices my family endured as part of military life.  My father was gone for months at a time, which brought many difficulties.  These same challenges and sacrifices are now being endured by thousands of military families, like those at NAS Pensacola.    Personally, I’d like to do something to help these families.

So, while my dream of becoming a Navy Pilot didn’t work out, I can still serve my country, members of our Armed Forces and, equally important, their families by working hard to end our addiction to foreign oil.  Don’t kid yourself.  Foreign oil comes at a high cost of military resources, including young lives.  If we all committed to American-made renewable fuels, we could keep our energy dollars, and more of our service men and women, home to protect this country and support their families.

Military Museum in Alabama on the way to Pensacola.

Wow. That said, I feel the need to start heading home myself to see my family.  I think I’ll also call my father who served our country for 40 years.  (Thanks Dad. I have some big shoes to fill.)

For the first time, Washington D.C. wasn’t just an inspirational “tourist” visit for me.  I was there on a mission, a crusade.  I was there to inspire change among our nation’s leaders.

On my first day, I met with Senator Barbara Boxer and later addressed additional political dignitaries and activists.  My purpose was to differentiate “cellulosic” ethanol from “grain” ethanol and ultimately win the support for C.E. among environmentalists and grain ethanol detractors.

Meeting with Senator Boxer was a great test.  I knew she wasn’t a fan of ethanol, which she confirmed with her introduction of me to the room.  “Tom Holm has driven across country on ethanol to get here.  It’s surprising he survived the trip,” she said, somewhat aloofly. 

With that, I was immediately put on the defensive.   However, my redirect turned the tables immediately.  “You know, Senator, I drove here on cellulosic ethanol, made from cobs and husks, not regular ethanol,” I replied.

Her demeanor changed before me and her staff.  Her response, “Cellulosic? Cellulosic! That’s the best.  Wow, that’s the best,” she exclaimed!

I had won her over, which paved my way to talk about how C.E. can create jobs, grow the economy, increase national securing, preserve the environment, stabilize fuel costs, etc…

For the remainder of my visit to D.C., I had to repeat this drill many times.  Fortunately, I had EcoTrek’s big truck, fueled by POET cellulosic ethanol, as my visual aid. 

The E.P.A.

Some bloggers have questioned the need to drive a big truck across country to prove a point.  Let me tell you, nothing is more persuasive than actually seeing (and touching) something to prove a point.  While pictures may speak a thousand words, a massive Super-Duty truck parked at the steps of the Capitol Building bellows volumes about legitimacy and provides incomparable tactile reinforcement.

ACORE, the American Council on Renewable Energy arranged for me to park EcoTrek’s C.E-powered truck in a courtyard that is within sight of the front door of the White House.  Dozens of people gathered to hear me speak about this remarkable fuel.  At times, there was heated debate over preference alternative energy sources, but none could argue against the benefits of C.E.  Debate may be healthy at times, but come on, with the unrest in the Middle East and the spike in petrol costs; it’s now time for action. 

Let’s hope our country’s elected leaders move beyond antiquated debates and take action now on enabling further production of domestic, clean, renewable fuels like cellulosic ethanol.

New York City always inspires me.  Its architecture, food, cultural diversity and even its dedication to preserving the environment are all world-class.

Underwater turbines

Regarding the “Greener side of New York,” almost all taxi cabs are Ford Escape Hybrids (that EcoTrek helped promote), buildings like the Times Square Element Hotel and the Hearts Tower have amazing “green” qualities and the City has one of the best recycling operations in America.

But, did you know that the power of the East River is actually being used to power parts of the city?  New York has one of the most efficient tidal turbine systems in the world.  These devices look like underwater windmills, but their blades are being pushed by the changing tides.  Only a few places in the world are using this technology, but it’s spreading as a result of New York’s success with it.

Now, if New York would just replace their dirty, deafening diesel trucks with clean, quite cellulosic ethanol vehicles, they’d really be trendsetters.

Green Drinks NYC Reception for EcoTrek at Roger Smith Hotel

The New York press did a great job at covering my visit to the city, and Green Drinks NYC (which has 14,000 members – www.greendrinksnyc.com) was extremely supportive.

Touching tires in Atlantic on Staten Island, New York - 6,000 miles after touching Pacific in California.

Before even checking into my hotel in Manhattan, I drove straight to Brooklyn to officially complete my cross-country journey fueled by POET cellulosic ethanol.  While I got close to my intended goal of touching my tires in the Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island, I was turned away just yards from the sea.    

Just like in Santa Monica, California, one government agency failed to communicate with another, so I was literally stopped in my tracks.  Fortunately, it pays to stay nimble.  Thus, on both coasts I found alternate locations to complete my watery ritual.  On the West Coast, I touched my tires in the Pacific at Half Moon Bay, CA.  On the East Coast, my tires were dipped in the Atlantic at Lemon Creek Park, on Staten Island, NY.  Both locations were unexpected, yet turned out to be immensely beautiful and memorable.

Tires touching Pacific in Half Moon Bay, CA

I see this experience as an analogy to our cause of advancing the use of renewable fuels and alternative energy.   Obstacles are constantly being placed in our way by sluggish bureaucrats, disconnected government agencies and indecisive individuals.  So, to progress our cause, staying nimble is imperative.  If our target is blocked, we sometimes have to change our course, but never our objective.   And, if we’re lucky, the outcome may be even better than we’ve been hoping for.

It’s another bitterly-cold day in Chicago.  My temperature gauge in the truck reads -6.  (I didn’t know it went that low.)  Yet, Fox-TV was still gracious enough to meet me outside their building to cover the “Best of America” Tour fueled by POET cellulosic ethanol. See Fox interview at: http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/good_day/cellulosic-ethanol-new-fuel-tom-holm-energy-efficient-20110210

It’s been a strange realization, but denial won’t change the fact that I’m an eco-geek, who’s baffled that almost no one knows what cellulosic ethanol is.   But, with this acknowledgement also comes empowerment.   You see, if no one knows what C.E. is, than I appear to be really smart when I describe it to them.  This was the case with the Fox-TV reporters in Chicago.

My interview was preceded by an on-air discussion between fashion and media mogul Russell Simmons and the news anchors.  During this exchange, Simmons was confronted with a claim that hip-hop music focuses on negativity in American society.  Brilliantly, he countered that the NEWS MEDIA is far guiltier of this claim.   I agree and during our brief encounter, I told him so.

Cellulosic ethanol has limitless positive benefits, from bolstering the American economy, to creating hundreds of thousands of “un-outsourceable” American jobs, to stabilizing fuel costs and preserving natural resources.  Yet, the media isn’t giving it the recognition it deserves.  I guess hip-hop music is just as guilty.  (Surprisingly, Chamillionaire’s lyrics “Tryin to Catch me Ridin Dirty” has nothing to do with EcoTrek’s big C.E.-powered 4×4 truck.)

So, it was especially rewarding to me that Chicago’s Fox-TV covered our event and made this eco-geek feel especially empowered by calling me a “really smart guy.”  (Now, if I can just get Chamillionaire to change the lyrics of his song to relate to my trucks, and Simmons to make organic Phat Farm clothes, than my work will be done.)

After the TV interview, I staged the EcoTrek truck at the entrance to the Chicago Auto Show, where I discussed FlexFuel vehicles and POET’s cellulosic ethanol with auto manufacturers.  Many of these builders, including Ford, GM, Chrysler and Bentley are increasing their FlexFuel-vehicle offerings.  So, soon the 10,000,000 FlexFuel vehicles on U.S. roads today will be joined by even more autos able to run on cellulosic ethanol.  Now that’s something to sing (or even rap) about.

I got up at 5am to make it to a very popular Chicago radio show.  I can’t remember ever being this cold.  The “wind-chill factor” is 25 degrees BELOW ZERO.  The ice sheet on the water around the Navy Pier extends out about a mile.  PERFECT!

Many people have asked me why I didn’t wait until spring to do this test.  My response is simple.  It wouldn’t be a test if we didn’t encounter extreme conditions – it would be a road trip.  We wanted extreme condition, and as tough as that is at times, we wouldn’t know how cellulosic ethanol performed in sub-zero temperatures, unless we drove in them.  Which brings me to the Navy Pier in Chicago during the coldest, snowiest winter on record…  Perfect conditions!

The radio show went well.  The callers and hosts asked great questions and I was happy to educate a big portion of the Midwest about cellulosic ethanol. 

In fact, the interview went so well, NPR is going to rebroadcast it and Fox-TV has asked me to do a “live” broadcast in their studios on Thursday. 

So, I get to test EcoTrek’s vehicle and cellulosic ethanol for a few more days in these “perfect conditions.”

This is where POET hopes to begin production of their first full-scale cellulosic ethanol plant later this year.  (Please see www.projectliberty.com)

If successful, POET envisions this being a model to roll Project LIBERTY technologies into 180 biorefineries in America’s corn belt, which could produce 4.5 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol annually, over 7,000 biorefinery jobs, 11,700 biomass logistics jobs and more than 70,000 farmers harvesting biomass, according to POET.  They also note that ”a recent study found that 80 billion gallons of [corn]ethanol could be produced annually from existing feedstocks, which is close to the amoung of gasoline that America gets from imported oil.”

Tom with POET Project LIBERTY Crew in Emmetsburg, Iowa

This last statement is for corn or grain ethanol.  Cellulosic ethanol reaches beyond traditional “feedstocks” and could include stover (cobs, husks and other non-food parts of corn plants), woodchips, fallen trees, uban waste wood-products, paper and all other plant-based materials.  Meaning, the supply of materials that can be converted into cellulosic ethanol is limitless. 

If successful, POET’s Project LIBERTY Plant, located in a remote corner of Iowa, could usher in America’s independence from foreign oil, create hundreds of thousands of jobs,  bolster America’s economy, help increase national security and create a more eco-considerate fuel source. 

EcoTrek will be monitoring POET’s progress and reporting on the advancements of cellulosic ethanol with high-hopes and guarding optomism.