ZimmCast on Yield10 Bioscience

Cindy Zimmerman

Yield10 Bioscience is an agricultural bioscience company that is developing improved Camelina varieties for the production of proprietary seed products, and to discover highly valuable genetic traits for the agriculture and food industries. The company is working to establish a high-value seed products business based on developing superior varieties of Camelina for the production of feedstock oils, nutritional oils, and PHA bioplastics, and to license yield traits for commercialization in row crops, including corn, soybean, and canola.

Yield10 recently announced an open enrollment program for contract production of winter Camelina in Montana and Idaho, as well as southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada.

In this edition of the ZimmCast podcast, Cindy Zimmerman talked with Yield10 President and CEO Oliver Peoples about the company’s goals and the opportunities for camelina production.
ZimmCast 696 - Yield10 Bioscience and Camelina (21:01)

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Audio, biofuels, feedstocks

Tech Hub LIVE Keynoter Offers Ag Economic Insights

Cindy Zimmerman

Keynote speaker for the second annual Tech Hub LIVE last week was David Widmar, managing partner at Agricultural Economic Insights (AEI), who offered his insights on where we are in the farm economy production agriculture business cycle, some key demographic trends, and some key conversations to have with growers.

Widmar says one of the main favorable factors in the current farm economy is an increase in oilseeds demand. “We’ve seen it here in the U.S. but also around the world,” said Widmar. “It’s soybeans in South America, sunflowers in Eastern Europe, and it’s rapeseed in India.”

AEI.ag has produced two in-depth podcast series in the past two years, “Escaping 1980” about the causes, impacts, and lasting effects of the 1980s farm crisis, and “Corn Saves America” on agriculture’s role in environmental solutions, comparing the rise of corn ethanol with today’s carbon markets. The podcast just received a Star Prize award for audio from the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) at the organization’s 2022 World Congress in Denmark last month, so congratulations for that major accomplishment.

Listen to an interview with Widmar here.
2022 Tech Hub LIVE interview with David Widmar, AEI 6:03

Photos

2022 Tech Hub LIVE Photo Album

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, technology

Ethanol Days of Summer Free Fuel Contest Continues

Cindy Zimmerman

There’s still time to enter the Renewable Fuels Association’s Ethanol Days of Summer Contest, which offers free fuel to participants for reporting prices of E15 and E85. The contest continues through Labor Day, which means six more weeks of $250 in free fuel to giveaway.

“Even though the price of fuel has dropped in recent days, we’re still experiencing abnormally high prices at the pump, and higher ethanol blends like E15 and E15 are a great way for drivers to save money while supporting rural America,” said Robert White, RFA Vice President for Industry Relations. “This summer, several retailers—such as Sheetz and Pearson Fuels —have recently offered special savings on these ethanol blends, below the already-lower cost of the fuel, compared to regular unleaded. With nearly a billion impressions on our website just in June, we know people are seeking out options. We hope this program will help drivers discover a new fuel as they rediscover America on vacation road trips.”

There are two ways to enter the contest and win:
1. Submit prices for E15 or E85 at E85prices.com. Register or log in at E85prices.com or use the E85prices.com mobile app.
2. Submit pictures of higher blend prices on Twitter. Pictures can be of the fuel dispenser or price sign and should include, at a minimum, regular unleaded (E10) and E15 and/or E85. Include station name, city, and state. Tag @EthanolRFA and include the hashtags: #ethanol #E15 #E85 and #fuelprices (unless those words are already mentioned).

Contestants will be entered into a random weekly drawing for a pre-paid credit card to be used for fuel purchases. Don’t delay, enter today!

E15, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Researchers Provide Update on AltEn

Cindy Zimmerman

Daugherty Water for Food Institute (DWFI) researchers have been studying possible effects from the AltEn ethanol plant in Mead, Nebraska, which shut down last year after leaked contaminated wastewater was found.

Researchers recently presented to a group of Mead community members at a Mead Town Hall session. The team is particularly concerned with neurotoxins from the neonicotinoids produced by the plant, which is being sued by the state of Nebraska.

A survey on perceived health impacts has been sent to 1,000 people in the surrounding community, and so far about 400 responses have been received. Anyone who has lived or worked near the contamination from the AltEn plant or its solid or liquid waste is encouraged to fill out the survey. In addition to homes, the research team is also sampling the water, soil, air and small animals.

Environment, Ethanol, Ethanol News

RFA Now Offers Ethanol Safety Training in Spanish

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association award-winning ethanol safety training program is now available in Spanish-language versions of all materials, developed under the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s ALERT grant program. RFA works closely with TRANSCAER, a national outreach program to help communities prepare for and respond to hazardous material transportation incidents, to offer free ethanol safety training.

These newly translated materials include eight modules, each with a PowerPoint presentation that is embedded with instructor notes, an instructor manual, participant guide, and a video of that module information.

“We are excited to add another tool to our ethanol safety toolbox by adding a Spanish version of our Ethanol Emergency Response Training Program,” said Missy Ruff, RFA director of safety and technical programs. “We have had a growing interest in our training program across the globe and with the addition of TRANSCAER Mexico last year this helps both TRANSCAER and RFA reach a broader emergency responder audience.”

As part of the grant, RFA is also working to update two related 20-minute videos in both English and Spanish versions, Emergency Response Considerations and Responding to Ethanol Incidents, to be released this fall.

“We are thrilled to see RFA offer new training opportunities for emergency responders on ethanol emergency response,” said Erica Bernstein, Director of TRANSCAER. “Adding this program in Spanish not only helps us expand our outreach efforts in Mexico, but to other countries across the world.”

TRANSCAER has a Learning Management System (LMS) that offers a variety of online hazmat training videos for emergency responders and community leaders unable to attend classroom events.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, safety

ACE Finalizing Conference Agenda

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol is finalizing the agenda for the upcoming 35th Annual Conference, August 10-12 in Omaha.

Recent additions include keynote addresses by Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and U.S. Grains Council CEO Ryan LeGrand, as well as a flex fuel retailer panel featuring representatives from California-based Pearson Fuels, and Bosselman Enterprises, owner of the Nebraska-based Pump & Pantry convenience store chain.

ACE Vice President of Public Affairs Katie Muckenhirn says higher ethanol blends for retailers has never been a more timely topic with historically high gas prices and the push to net zero vehicles. The panel will cover the “math” associated with selling E15 and flex fuels, including LCFS credits and RINs, and highlight the volume ethanol blends like E15 and particularly E85 are moving, and could move, in the marketplace, in addition to how USDA’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) supports these efforts.

In addition, Muckenhirn says stay tuned for more details on a pre-conference event for fuel retailers to learn about how to take advantage of the latest round of USDA HBIIP funds slated to be made available this summer.

Learn more about the upcoming ACE in this interview.
ACE conference preview Katie Muckenhirn (5:00)

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Clean Fuels Benefits Highlighted in Letter to Administration

Cindy Zimmerman

Clean Fuels Alliance America last week wrote a letter to President Joe Biden and other administration officials highlighting the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry’s contribution to job growth in the clean energy sector and asking them to support tax policy that encourages continued industry growth.

“The clean fuels industry increased production during 2021, making an essential contribution to the nation’s fuel supply. Our industry plans to continue increasing production this year,” the letter states. “The domestic production of low-carbon biodiesel and renewable diesel provides good-paying jobs, adds value for America’s farmers, lowers prices at the pump by extending the energy supply, and reduces carbon emissions on average by 74% compared with petroleum diesel.”

The recent United States Energy & Employment Report 2022 shows that the clean fuels industry added jobs in 2021 at a rate of 6.7% and anticipates continued job growth of 5.8% in manufacturing during 2022. Additionally, a recent study from the World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Service showing that U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel production generated a 4 percent decrease in the price of diesel fuel in 2021 – a saving of $0.22 a gallon at current fuel prices.

Read the letter.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance, renewable diesel

California Emissions Study Moves Toward E15 Approval

Cindy Zimmerman

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) Friday released the results of a multi-year study of the emissions impacts of 15 percent ethanol blended fuel (E15). California is currently is one of only two states that does not allow sales of E15.

The results of the study show that, compared to E10, E15 reduces emissions of most pollutants that contribute to ozone formation. The report also shows E15 significantly reduces emissions of particulate matter, which is another key ingredient in “smog.” The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of California-Riverside, was supported by the Renewable Fuels Association, California Air Resources Board (CARB), U.S. Council for Automotive Research, National Corn Growers Association, and Growth Energy.

“The results of this study clearly demonstrate that E15 cuts emissions of the nasty tailpipe pollutants that contribute to dirty air and cause respiratory illnesses and other serious health concerns,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “In addition to reducing the potential for smog, E15 also cuts greenhouse gas emissions, displaces petroleum, lowers consumer pump prices, and supports renewable energy jobs in California and across the country. The benefits of E15 to the Golden State are compelling and obvious, and we encourage CARB and the Environmental Policy Council to move swiftly to approve the fuel. Now more than ever, California consumers want and need the option to choose lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 at the pump.”

The comprehensive review of the impacts of E15 is in its third year and is expected to take “at least another full year to complete.” Once the full review is complete, CARB and other agencies will make a recommendation to the state’s Environmental Policy Council, followed by the adoption of regulatory amendments allowing E15 use in California.

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Ethanol Report on RFA Young Professionals Network

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Young Professionals Network is celebrating its second anniversary this month and it has grown quickly in those two short years, one of which was almost entirely virtual.

Jackie Hayes, who is now Director of Business Development and Client Relations with the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center in Illinois, started the YPN when she was still with RFA in 2020 and has continued to serve as coordinator for the initiative, which is sponsored by Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits. Membership is open to any young professional who is 39 years old or younger and employed by a company in the U.S. ethanol industry or stakeholder industries with an interest in RFA’s mission to drive demand for American-made renewable fuels and bioproducts worldwide.

In this edition of the Ethanol Report, Hayes talks about how the YPN has grown and why it is important to connect young people in the ethanol industry together.

Ethanol Report 7-13-22 (18:22)

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

ACE Welcomes Governor Ricketts to 35th Annual Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

Nebraska Gov. Ricketts at 2019 ACE Conference in Omaha

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) welcomes Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts as a keynote speaker for its 35th annual conference, August 10-12 at the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District. This will be the second time for the governor to address the annual ACE conference, the last time being in 2019.

Governor Ricketts will kick off the general session on Thursday, August 11, welcoming attendees and providing an update on how Nebraska is advancing ethanol in the marketplace. “For decades, ethanol has helped grow Nebraska and communities across the Heartland,” said Gov. Ricketts. “We look forward to hosting the 35th annual conference of the American Coalition for Ethanol in Omaha this year.”

“We’re thrilled Governor Ricketts can join us again as we gather together to discuss pressing industry issues,” said Brian Jennings, ACE CEO. “Nebraska’s biofuel industry has been strengthened under the Governor’s leadership, and we look forward to hearing an update on Nebraska legislation and programs to advance ethanol in the marketplace, as well as his perspective on a number of trade and policy issues impacting the industry.”

The 2022 ACE conference general session will follow Governor Ricketts’ welcome with an update from ACE leadership. Jennings will be joined by Ron Lamberty, ACE Chief Marketing Officer, and Dave Sovereign, ACE Board President representing Golden Grain Energy’s plant in Mason City, Iowa, in discussing ACE’s strategy for accelerating ethanol demand and positioning members for future success around carbon.

Visit ethanol.org/events/conference for a full agenda and registration.

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Ethanol, Ethanol News