Getting positives in the news

December 5, 2011

BY Susanne Retka Schill

We spotted a nice news story this week, published in the Penfield (N.Y.) Post . Government Fleet magazine recognized Monroe County as the second best Government Green Fleet in North America. That’s out of more than 38,000 public fleets in North America. Top on the list of things it’s done to green the fleet: “The county has implemented ethanol-based E85 in all of its flex-fuel vehicles and ethanol-based E20 in remaining traditional gas vehicles. Monroe County also utilizes biodiesel (B5 and B20) in its diesel vehicles.” The article adds that by the end of the year, all the county’s vehicles will be alternative fuel capable.

It’s nice recognition for a county fleet and positive news for biofuels backers. The full list of green fleets hasn’t been posted to the Government Fleet magazine website as yet, but it is a positive sign that aggressive use of alternative fuels boosts a fleet to the top of the list.  Other categories used to determine the annual green fleet winners include fleet composition, fuel usage and emissions, policy and planning, fleet utilization, education, executive and employee involvement and support programs.

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It would be great if we could see many more of these short, positive stories noting the contribution biofuels makes. Maybe as an industry we have to invent some awards. After all, awards are a nice way to recognize the winners, but also give a reason to send out some news releases and gives an occasion to explain industry benefits in positive terms.

What would those be? State groups of ethanol producers could recognize retailers with good biofuels promotions. They could recognize fleet owners, much like the Government Fleet magazine promotion. Perhaps we need to figure out a way to recognize ethanol producers who are reducing their environmental footprint. Many of the larger companies send out news release noting their improvements. That’s a bit harder to do for the smaller companies. For one, many don’t have media professionals helping to write the news releases.

We are hearing, though, from many quarters that ethanol producers are realizing that all need to pay attention to community relations. Given the misconceptions surrounding ethanol, those community relations efforts need to go beyond supporting local organizations. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good thing to contribute to local schools and charity. Some ethanol plants support local scholarships and give tours. But we need more, particularly things that give a solid reason for getting factual information out about biofuels.  Getting positive press sometimes involves creating an award, or an event, that gives the media a chance to run a news release and perhaps even write a longer story.

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There may be some examples out there. We’d love to share them if you send them our way. Email ideas or examples to EthanolEditor@bbiinternational.com.



 

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