Nebraska Fuel the Cure Starts October 1

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The Nebraska Ethanol Board, Renewable Fuels Nebraska, and participating retails stations are once again teaming up in October to Fuel the Cure and fund breast cancer research.

For every gallon of higher ethanol blend sold between Oct. 1-31, nearly 50 Nebraska fuel retailers will donate 3 cents toward cancer research and services within the state. Participating retailers supporting the cause will be sporting the pink Fuel the Cure signage at the pump, on the windows, and at the counter.

Since 2018, Nebraska’s Fuel the Cure campaigns have raised over $45,000 for cancer research, primarily benefiting the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha. “This distinguished institute plays a pivotal role in shaping cancer care, research, and education in Nebraska, the region, and the world,” said Jessica Sodeke, Nebraska Ethanol Board’s communications and outreach manager.

By choosing ethanol blends at the pump, you’re not only driving cleaner but also contributing to the fight against cancer. For more information about the benefits of ethanol, participating locations, and how your fill-up supports cancer research, visit FueledbyNebraska.com/pink.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

NCGA Calls on Members to Comment on CAFE Standards

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The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) this week called on its members to urge the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to provide a level playing field for biofuels such as ethanol by submitting comments on the agency’s proposed increase in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard.

NHTSA has proposed that the CAFE standard, which regulates how much fuel a vehicle consumes per mile, would increase for small cars and light trucks from 44 to 58 miles per gallon by 2032. NCGA leaders say the proposed standard ignores solutions that are available now.

“The proposal sets an unattainable goal and a concerning precedent,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “As a result, auto manufacturers will be forced to overlook viable solutions, such as high-octane biofuels like corn ethanol, as they rush to meet these standards. This would significantly minimize the role biofuels play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving consumers money at the pump.”

Haag says this proposed rule largely mirrors the recent tailpipe emissions proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency and it is important to have a strong showing from those who understand the role biofuels can play in emissions reduction.

NHTSA will hold a hearing later this week where it will accept public comments on the proposed standard. The comment period closes October 16, 2023.

biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA

ADM and Syngenta Group Partner for New Biofuels Feedstocks

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ADM and Syngenta Group have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development of low carbon, next-generation oilseeds and improved varieties to help meet growing demand for biofuels fueled by sustainable aviation fuel.

ADM and Syngenta hope to leverage their existing capabilities to accelerate the research, processing, and commercialization of oilseeds such as Camelina that are typically grown in the fallow period of a crop rotation. Such feedstocks could help meet global demand for biofuels which is expected to grow by 35 billion liters per year, or 22%, over the 2022-2027 period, according to the International Energy Association.

The companies expect to sign definitive agreements by the end of the year and are already advancing important work together around growing and processing next-generation varieties.

aviation biofuels, biofuels, feedstocks, SAF

NREL Releases 6th Edition of Biodiesel Handling Guide

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The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently released its sixth edition of the Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide, funded by Clean Fuels Alliance America to offer basic information on biodiesel’s proper and safe use to help fleets, blenders, distributors and others understand the handling and use of these fuels while highlighting environmental and performance benefits.

Under the direction of Clean Fuels and NREL, revisions to the guide are provided by leading industry researchers and subject matter experts and approved by independent reviewers and the U.S. Department of Energy. The last revision was published in November 2016.

The latest edition captures the most recent studies and standardized use for on- and off-road applications, railroad, marine, home heating oil systems and power generation applications. New data on storage stability, manufacturer approvals, and the increasing level of quality across the industry will provide greater benefits including higher expectations of performance.

“Our goal is to provide our member organizations, stakeholders and each end-user with the most accurate and up-to-date data related to blending or using biomass-based diesel fuels to ensure proper use and handling,” said Scott Fenwick, Technical Director for Clean Fuels. “We encourage anyone who is considering distributing biodiesel and biodiesel blends, to promote this free guide to their customers.”

The official guide resides on the NREL website and can be downloaded free of charge. Users can also access Clean Fuels’ Biodiesel Toolkit to learn more.

Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance

Badger State Ethanol Selling Surplus Equipment

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As Badger State Ethanol of Monroe, Wisconsin is updating and expanding their grain processing facility to produce 90 million gallons per year of ethanol along with corn oil and carbon dioxide, the company is selling its surplus processing and support equipment by online auction through Maas Companies

Highlights include: 5+ Ton/Hour Animal Feed Pelletizing System by California Pellet Mill; York Chiller, 800HP Westinghouse Electric Motor, 6-Molecular Sieve Tanks, Hand Sanitizer Production Bulk Tanks- Steel and Fiberglass, Tons of Stainless Steel Tanks, Vessels, Flanges, Pipe, see Equipment Catalog for a complete listing.

Maas Companies Inc, a company specializing in the selling of animal feed processing and renewable fuel assets, of Rochester, Minnesota will oversee the sale. The auction will include over 30 lots of equipment. Bidders will have the opportunity to submit bids for two weeks with bidding for lots ending Thursday, November 2; lots start closing a 2:00pm CT via Bidspotter.com.

Potential buyers are encouraged to schedule an appointment to attend the open houses on Wednesday, October 18 or Wednesday, November 1.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

RFA Elects 2024 Board and Leadership

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The Renewable Fuels Association elected officers and board members this week at its annual membership meeting in Des Moines.

Erik Huschitt, CEO of Badger State Ethanol, was re-elected as chairman of the organization. “If the ethanol industry has learned anything over the past 20 years, it’s to not get complacent in the good times, and that we must stay vigilant and be prepared to fight for every inch gained,” Huschitt said. “The Inflation Reduction Act and other policies have the potential to create an enormous amount of opportunity for our industry, but we need to engage aggressively to see that implementation is science-based and technology-neutral.”

Huschitt also currently serves as president of the Wisconsin BioFuels Association.

Jeff Oestmann, CEO of Aztalan Bio, was re-elected as vice chairman of the RFA board. Oestmann was CEO of Granite Falls Energy prior becoming CEO of the former Valero ethanol plant in the town of Aztalan, Wisconsin earlier this year.

“Erik Huschitt and Jeff Oestmann have proven themselves as strategic leaders deeply committed to the role ethanol can play not just in their own communities, but also across our nation and around the world,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “This is an important time for the ethanol industry and in their first year of leadership, Erik and Jeff provided true leadership and guidance as we faced many challenges and opportunities, and we’re excited to see where the board take us in 2024.”

Retaining their current positions in board leadership for 2024 are Rick Schwarck, President of Absolute Energy, as Board Secretary, and Mike Jerke, CEO of Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, as Treasurer.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Verbio Harvesting Stover for RNG

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For the second year, Verbio is harvesting corn stover to be used as a feedstock to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) at its large-scale plant in Nevada, Iowa, and looking to begin ethanol production later this year.

“We are excited about this new harvest season,” says Greg Faith, President of the Verbio Nevada Biorefinery. “Unlocking the value of organic residue materials by creating RNG is a rapidly growing market in the United States. Successfully cooperating with local growers in the region is the foundation of our business, especially here in Iowa. The potential benefits of corn stover as a renewable fuel source are massive. We are planning to harvest approximately 135,000 bales of stover required to ensure full production over the next 12 months.”

Once a farmer has completed harvest in a field that is under contract, Verbio’s agronomy team chops, bales, and hauls corn stover off to be stored on site at the Nevada plant and used in the RNG production process. Verbio has been producing renewable natural gas from corn stover on an industrial scale at the Nevada plant since December 2021. It is injected directly into the natural gas distribution and transmission grid to be utilized as a climate friendly green fuel.

Besides looking forward to a successful corn stover harvest for RNG production, Verbio is working on the commissioning of ethanol production in addition to the biomethane produced at the Nevada plant. Operations are expected to begin in the 4th quarter of 2023. “The integration of RNG and ethanol production, unique to Verbio, incorporates advanced operational technology to build on the company’s successful experiences in Europe. The Verbio Nevada biorefinery will be the largest plant in the country to utilize this advanced technology. It will open up even more opportunities to the Iowa farmer, as well as provide a renewable alternative solution to fossil fuels.”

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RNG

Clean Fuels Conference 2024 Registration Open

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Registration is now open for the 2024 Clean Fuels Conference, February 5-8, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas.

The annual Clean Fuels Alliance America event for biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel includes a full slate of educational sessions featuring industry experts and plenty of networking opportunities. Attendees include clean fuels producers and marketers, distributors, feedstock providers, fleet managers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), ESG officers and members of the media.

Early bird pricing for registration ends November 17, 2023. Click here for details.

aviation biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance, renewable diesel, SAF

EPA Official Highlights Agency’s Biofuels Support

Cindy Zimmerman 1 Comment

EPA’s Senior Advisor for Agriculture Rod Snyder talked about the agency’s commitment to biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) during an appearance Monday at the Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City.

“In June, EPA finalized the largest renewable volume obligations in the history of the RFS,” said Snyder. “We project the new standard will require nearly seven billion RINS worth of advanced biofuels, including biomass-based diesel, in 2025. That’s a nearly 40 percent increase over the 2022 baseline.”

“For corn-based ethanol, the final rule sets targets at or above the 15 billion gallon statutory level for all three years, that had not been done prior to this administration…We estimate the RFS increases revenue for farmers by approximately 18 billion dollars every single year.”

Snyder was asked about the recent Science Advisory Board (SAB) report on the climate impacts of corn ethanol and the RFS, which was the topic at a hearing last week. Snyder first clarified that the SAB is an independent entity so the report is “not something that was initiated at the career or staff level.” Beyond that, he said, “everyone agrees that we need to do a better job of valuing the greenhouse gas benefits of various feedstocks…we’re appreciative of the SAB for raising the issue.”

Listen to Snyder’s comments related to biofuels from the Ag Outlook Forum
2023 Ag Outlook Forum - Rod Snyder, EPA 4:54

advanced biofuels, Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness, Audio, biofuels, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Ethanol Report on Environmental Benefits

Cindy Zimmerman 1 Comment

One might think that after nearly two decades of the Renewable Fuel Standard that the environmental benefits of corn ethanol would be accepted, but one might be wrong.

According to a draft report from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Science Advisory Board (SAB), the effectiveness of the RFS in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions “remains highly uncertain from a scientific perspective” and there may be “minimal or no climate benefits” related to substituting corn ethanol for gasoline.

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper brought the ethanol industry’s concerns about the report in testimony to the SAB this past week, and he questions what impact it could have on how the U.S. Treasury decides to treat corn ethanol as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credits. He talks about it in this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast.

Ethanol Report 9-21-23 16:55

The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

Choose an option to subscribe

Audio, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA