A new government report says that while the U.S. is a major exporter of biofuels, it still imports biofuels in order to meet government mandates. The study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service says some other countries are major exporters and domestic users, thanks to laws there that allow greater blending amounts. The ethanol blend wall in …
East Kansas Agri-Energy Hosts Congressman Yoder
Renew Kansas hosted Congressman Kevin Yoder‘s tour of East Kansas Agri-Energy (EKAE) located in Garnett, Kansas. While touring the facility, the Congressman and his staff heard from EKAE’s President and CEO Jeff Oestmann about the many opportunities and challenges facing the industry. Last month, EKAE celebrated its 10 year anniversary. Congressman Yoder learned that the plant produces more than 40 …
ACE Elects Board Representatives
During the recent American Coalition for Ethanol’s conference in Omaha, Nebraska, members elected directors to serve on their governing board. Four individuals re-elected to the ACE Board of Directors: Ron Alverson, representing Dakota Ethanol, LLC, an ethanol plant in Wentworth, South Dakota, which produces 50 million gallons of ethanol per year (MGY). Alverson currently serves as the President of the …
Ethanol Rail Opportunities & Challenges
This past winter was a tough one on the rail industry with lots of cold and snow. Among industries affected was the biofuel industry including ethanol transportation. During the ACE Ethanol Conference, Hasan Hyder, assistant vice president grain and grain products for Union Pacific, addressed some of these issues and discussed new opportunities. Hyder gave a brief history of the …
ARF Reacts to Hillary Clinton’s Ag, Energy Plan
Presidential candidate Sec. Hillary Clinton (D) made another visit to Iowa this week where she unveiled her agriculture and rural policy plan. She called for strengthening the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) so that it continues to drive the development of advanced cellulosic and other advanced biofuels. Clinton called for more consumer choice at the pump with better access to ethanol …
Michigan State IDs Water Usage by Biomass Crops
Researchers at Michigan State University have identified the amount of water used by some key biomass crops. This article from the school says the study, titled, “Comparative water use by maize, perennial crops, restored prairie and poplar trees in the U.S. Midwest,” recently published by Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), lead authored by Michigan State University professor Steve Hamilton, …
#ACE15 Success, Jennings Highlights What’s Next
The 28th Annual American Coalition for Ethanol’s (ACE) Ethanol Conference was a huge success. At times the room was stand-up only and the content was engaging and informational for attendees. I had a chance to sit down with Executive Vice President Brian Jennings who kicked off the conference and closed the conference and he said that there were a few …
Protec Takes Unique E15, E85 Approach
Todd Garner, CEO of Protec Fuel, has more than 30 years in the fuel business. As such, he has been able to launch an interesting model in how they bring more choice at the pump by helping retail stations offer E15 and E85. The company started offering E85 in 2006 and has made incredible strides in getting more ethanol into …
Fuels America Ad Targets President Obama
In conjunction with the National Clean Energy Summit that took place in Las Vegas, Fuels America published a full-page ad in the Las Vegas Review-Journal aimed at President Obama. The theme of the ad is the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and a call to action to uphold the law as signed in 2007 by then President Bush. Obama was a …
Kum & Go, E15 Leader #ACE Award Honoree
Kum & Go is well known in the Midwest, especially in states like Iowa and Nebraska where this year’s #ACE annual Ethanol Conference took place (Omaha). During the event, Jim Pirolli, Vice President of Fuels for Kum & Go talked about his company’s commitment to rolling out E15 stations as well as their efforts to continue to sell more E85. …