Most are Worried about Crops

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How worried are you about the weather impact on crops this summer?”

Our poll results: Seventy-four percent said very worried; twenty-one percent said moderately concerned; four percent said they’re confident the crops will overcome and two percent said “what weather?”.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Should nutrition programs be split out of the Farm Bill?” With all the controversy surrounding cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as food stamps, there has also been talk that the bill could be split. What do you think – should nutrition be separate from agriculture?

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

ZimmPoll

Oil Industry Attacks on E15 Inappropriate

Joanna Schroeder

The ethanol industry is calling recent attacks by the oil industry regarding the use of E15 inappropriate and unreasonable. The latest in an ongoing battle between Big Oil and Little Ethanol occurred when the American Petroleum Institute (API) issued a “warning” to drivers in Kansas to not use E15 being sold at a Zarco 66 station in Lawrence, Kansas. In its first full day of sales, the Zarco 66 station reported E15 sales were 16% of its total unleaded gasoline sales.

Earlier this year, API released a study claiming that the use of E15 in non flex-fuel vehicles was harmful. Ironically, the study also discovered that the use of “straight” gasoline was also harmful to the same vehicles. The study brought the U.S. Department of Energy into the fray when the organization issued a rebuke and reiterated that E15 is the most studied fuel to date with more than 6 million miles of testing with E15 proving no problems in cars or light duty trucks manufactured in 2001 or later.

“If you take the argument of API and other biofuel critics to its logical conclusion, based on the study they cite, they should be warning Americans against using so-‘called ‘clear gasoline’ as well given that vehicles failed in their limited testing on that fuel also,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen.

He continued, “Of course, that would be unrealistic to expect from the nation’s refiners. Equally unrealistic is the smear campaign and fear mongering that is going on surrounding the introduction of E15 into the market. The fact remains that E15 has been the most thoroughly tested fuel in American history and ethanol has been a safe and effective fuel component in wide use for more than three decades. It’s time to move past the nonsense and constructively work to bring Americans the choice at the pump they want and deserve. Such a choice is beginning in Lawrence with E15.”

blends, Ethanol, Oil, RFA

Can Ethanol Meet RFS Demand with Lower Corn Crop?

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Fuels AssociationUSDA already cut the corn crop forecast by 12% but as conditions continue to worsen, concerns are being raised about whether the ethanol industry will be able to meet demand under the Renewable Fuels Standard with a drastically reduced crop.

Renewable Fuels Association VP of Research and Analysis Geoff Cooper tackled that question in a white paper posted on the E-xchange Blog. “Even if ethanol production remains at current low levels for the remainder of the year, obligated parties should have no problem meeting their 2012 RFS blending obligations,” according to Cooper, based on the flexibility built into the RFS program “specifically to address unique market conditions and unusual events.”

While ethanol production is dropping and some plants are idling due to tight margins, the good news is there is over 800 million gallons of ethanol currently in storage to help meet the RFS. “Given current gasoline demand, a healthy 20-day supply of ethanol stocks would be 745 mg, meaning current stocks of 820 mg are still slightly on the heavy side,” Cooper said. In addition, excess RINs can be used by obligated parties for compliance in lieu of physical gallons.

The latest Energy Information Administration data puts annualized ethanol production this year at 13.26 billion gallons. The 2012 RFS requirement is for 13.2 billion gallons of “renewable fuel,” which includes, but is not limited to, grain ethanol.

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Offshore Wind Project Sails Ahead

Joanna Schroeder

The Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstration Site off the UK coast is sailing ahead. SeaRoc, a marine engineering company, has been contracted to install the foundation, equipment platform and meteorological mast for the wind energy project. SeaRoc is taking over for the previous contractor and construction is scheduled to begin within the next two months.

Andrew Mill, CEO of Narec, the company that owns the Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstration Project, said that this is the largest project of its type in the UK. He also commented that SeaRoc’s services were selected because of their proven track record and innovative approach.

The mast will be installed 3 nautical miles off the coast of Blyth consisting of a 635t tripod foundation, 100t platform and 25t meteorological mast to provide site wind speed measurements alongside the already installed ZephIR 300 wind lidar. In addition, the platform will collect environmental data and will be equipped with a various monitoring sensors.

“The Offshore Demonstration Facility is key to the future of Offshore Wind, both in the UK and globally – SeaRoc are very aware of this and believe there is enormous value for the offshore renewable sector in the development of the Narec site,” said Toby Mead, Operations Director at SeaRoc, who said his company is very well placed to deliver the project. “We view this project as an ideal opportunity to develop a strong working relationship with Narec.”

Electricity, Energy, Wind

Operation Free Campaign Supports Navy Biofuels

Cindy Zimmerman

A new campaign by a nationwide coalition of military veterans is targeting members of Congress who are opposed to increasing the use of biofuels in the military.

The Operation Free campaign has released a new television advertisement entitled “Trust,” featuring Marine Corps veteran Chris Marzoni who served in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the spot, Marzoni says advanced biofuels promise to provide our military a source of fuel besides petroleum, which ties us to a volatile world market and hinders mission readiness.

The first version of the ad to run targets Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), who recklessly voted to halt the Navy’s biofuels programs despite their promise to reduce the military’s dependence on petroleum-based fuels. In the ad, Marzoni asks why Senator Portman doesn’t trust our military leaders when it comes to keeping America safe. The ad is part of a significant buy which will also run in Arizona, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Watch the ad with Marzoni here:

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels, Government, Video

Iowa Biodiesel Board Applauds Peck Motorsports

NASCAR driver Todd Peck of Peck Motorsports made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at the Iowa Speedway in Newton this past weekend.

The day before the race, Peck filled up with B15 at Love’s Travel Center near the track and took part in a pump promotion there. Area fans came to the event to learn about biodiesel and meet Todd Peck (center) who signed autographs. Peck is pictured with Grant Kimberly of the Iowa Soybean Association (left) and Randy Olson of the Iowa Biodiesel Board (right).

“Peck Motorsports is dedicated to be environmentally clean leaders in NASCAR,” said Peck. “Fueling our team transporter full of biodiesel has been a part of that process. We can’t thank the Iowa Biodiesel Board enough for joining our efforts in Iowa this race weekend in making our journey as ‘green’ as possible.”

Based in Pennsylvania, Peck Motorsports, with help from Renewable Engineered Systems, has outfitted its race hauler with solar panels on the roof, which power the newly installed LED lights and equipment. The team’s goal is to drive to and from races using biodiesel blends. He has has used up to 50 percent biodiesel when filling up.

“We commend Peck Motorsports for taking the initiative to use biodiesel, and would be thrilled to see more NASCAR teams follow suit,” said Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board. “NASCAR’s popularity as a spectator sport presents a great opportunity to raise public awareness on biodiesel, and I’m proud that Iowa biodiesel is helping to kick off this team’s racing series.”

Biodiesel, NASCAR, Racing

Ethanol Safety Seminar Comes to Iowa

Joanna Schroeder

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is partnering with the Canadian National Railway and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) to host two Ethanol Safety Seminars. The first will be held on July 30, 2012 in Sioux City, Iowa and the second on August 1, 2o12 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The seminars are FREE to attend and open to the public

Participants will learn about proper training techniques needed by hazmat personnel and first responders to effectively respond to an ethanol related emergency. All attendees, upon completion of the course, will receive a Certificate of Completion.

Each seminar will be offered from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm CDT and 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm CDT on the respective dates. Lunch and dinner will be provided by Siouxland Ethanol based in Sioux City and Little Sioux Corn Processors in Fort Dodge.  Click here to register.  If you are not a registered member, click the “REGISTER” button for further instructions.

Ethanol, RFA

FREE Webinar: Solar in the Military

Joanna Schroeder

The U.S. military has taken a strong lead in the use and development of alternative energy including solar energy. On Thursday, July 19th at 12:00 pm EDT, Principle Solar Institute is hosting a free webinar: Solar in the Military. The focus is on the Department of Defenses’s (DOD) strategic vision for solar energy and its goal for implementation. Pew Charitable Trusts says that DOD clean energy investments increased nearly 300 percent between 2006 and 2009.

The webinar will feature two speakers:

The pair will review DOD’s strategy for solar energy adoption as well as discuss current and future implementation strategies. Click here to learn more about the webinar and to register for the free event.
Electricity, Energy, Solar

New Biofuels Conference on the Block

Joanna Schroeder

There is a new conference on the block – the 2012 Collective Biofuels Conference hosted by Promethean Biofuels. The event takes place at Temecula Creek Inn on August 17 – 19, 2012 and is designed for small biofuels producers with a focus on industrial scale-up production. The conference will educate the industry on biofuels basics, research, community, quality, ASTM testing, and more.

Jon Van Gerpen, PhD, a professor in the Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering at University of Idaho will be the featured speaker. Other speakers include: Don Scott, National Biodiesel Board; Dr. Virginia Gordon, Rapid Biodiesel Testing; Jeff Fetkenhour, Gorge Analytical; Rod Yawn, ALX Enterprises; Atul Deshmane, Whole Energy; and Dara Lor, National Cooking Oil Recyclers Association.

“I highly recommend attending this conference. It’s one of the best places to get such a wealth of information all in one place,” said Graydon Blair with Utah Biodiesel.

For more information about the Collective Biofuels Conference and to register, click here.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, conferences

South Dakota to Award Blender Pump Grants

Cindy Zimmerman

The South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) is now accepting applications for nearly $1 million in funding for the Ethanol Infrastructure Grant Program in the 2013 fiscal year.

The program was created last year to help station owners defray the cost of installation of ethanol blender pumps, which offer consumers a greater variety of fuel choices, including non-ethanol fuels and higher blends like E15, E30, and E85. The first $760,000 of qualifying project applications will be awarded grants. The additional $200,000 portion of the program funds will be awarded on a competitive basis following the completion of the first phase of funding.

“The fact that the first year’s grants were snatched up so quickly proves that South Dakota retailers see the tremendous benefit in installing blender pumps,” said Dana Siefkes Lewis, president, South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association. “We’re expecting that same enthusiasm this year as even more stations opt for offering consumers a home-grown, renewable choice at the pumps that is good for our state and for our nation.”

“Since the start of the program earlier this year, we are already helping to fund the installation of 55 ethanol blender pumps in the state at 26 different retail locations,” said Hunter Roberts, GOED energy policy director. “We are happy that we can continue to have a program in place that helps support local industries and local jobs as well.”

Ethanol producer organizations says the program will help provide more consumer choice at the pump.

“Ultimately, retailers and consumers both benefit from this program,” said Ron Lamberty, vice president, American Coalition for Ethanol. “Retailers can afford to install pumps that offer choices like E15, E30, and E85 to consumers, drivers can choose the blends that work best for them, and since ethanol costs less than gasoline, history tells us they’ll choose more ethanol.”

“South Dakota has always been at the forefront of providing its consumers with more choices at the pump,” said Growth Energy CEO, Tom Buis. “Governor Daugaard is a true champion of ethanol and a leading voice when it comes to the future progress of the industry.”

The grant program was created in 2012 to help businesses offset the cost of installing Flex Fuel pumps, which offers higher blends of ethanol like E15, E30 and E85. Last year, the program resulted in 55 new Flex Fuel pumps at 26 locations.

ACE, blends, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy