[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 161 (Thursday, December 13, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S8040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING FREDERICK LADD POTTER

 Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, today I wish to 
recognize the late Frederick Ladd Potter, who passed away on February 
18, 2012. I wish to pay my respects to Fred's family and to note the 
important role he played in assisting me and my colleagues in 
developing and passing the Renewable Fuels Standard, RFS, as part of 
the Energy Policy Act, EPAct, of 2005.
  Fred Potter began his lifelong commitment to ethanol and clean-
burning transportation fuels in 1979 when he helped to open the Office 
of Alcohol Fuels within the U.S. Department of Energy. In 1981 he 
started Information Resources Inc., IRI, a private communications 
business, to promulgate information by publishing newsletters and 
holding press conferences. During this time, IRI played a major support 
role in removing the lead from gasoline, to be replaced by oxygenates 
which met the octane needs of gasoline.
  In 1991 Fred worked out a merger with Hart Energy in forming Hart/IRI 
to greatly expand the publications business to include a wider range of 
newsletters, studies, research efforts, and conferences. The 
International Fuel Quality Center was established, to be followed by 
the Global Biofuels Center, all with the goal of improving fuel quality 
worldwide and reducing harmful emissions from the automotive sector.
  Because of the pioneering work Fred accomplished in developing 
biofuel policy, Congress was able to put into place the first renewable 
fuel volume mandate for the United States. As required under the EPAct, 
the original RFS Program, RFS1, required 7.5 billion gallons of 
renewable fuel to be blended into gasoline by 2012.
  Fred's contribution to achieving this foothold in our nation's 
comprehensive energy policy is well recognized by those of us who have 
been supportive of ethanol and biofuels throughout our careers.
  Due to these achievements in 2005, Congress was able to expand the 
RFS program under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. 
RFS2 laid the foundation for achieving a significant reduction in 
greenhouse gas emissions and imported petroleum, as well as the 
development and expansion of our Nation's renewable fuels sector with 
the established goal of 36 billion gallons of first-generation and 
advanced biofuels by 2022. I can think of no better remembrance for 
Fred than knowing his fundamental work was essential toward providing 
our Nation's transportation sector with clean-burning, high-octane 
fuels.
  In addition to his work in renewable fuels, Fred Potter will be 
remembered for his unflagging service to America, his amazing cadre of 
friends, and his great and loving family. I, therefore, join with 
Fred's friends in the Senate in honoring his achievements, his memory, 
and his devoted family.

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