Vilsack to Keynote American Coalition for Ethanol Conference

John Davis

News just in to Domestic Fuel this morning: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be the keynote speaker for the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference, August 8-10, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska.

“The Secretary has been the most effective spokesperson for ethanol in the administration,” Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President for ACE, told me in an interview, previewing the 25th anniversary of ACE’s conference. The theme this year is “Proud History, Bright Future.” He said they will be talking about some of the timely topics affecting ethanol producers, especially the issue surrounding E15 this summer. There will be at least two sessions dedicated to E15 on Thursday, August 9th. “We’ve got one of the best experts in the country right in our office to do that, [Senior Vice President] Ron Lamberty, who owns two gas stations himself.”

You can also register on location the days of the conference, but there is a discount for registering early. He adds that while so much is done online these days, this conference is a good opportunity to get some face-to-face time with an informal agenda and feel to the conference.

Cindy will be providing coverage from the conference. See you in Omaha!

Listen to my interview with Brian here: Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President, ACE

ACE, conferences, Ethanol, Ethanol News

EM Biofuels Rolls Out RINPlus

Joanna Schroeder

EM Biofuels LLC is rolling out RINPlus, a web-based platform that tracks the origin of Renewable Identification Numbers (RIN). The company says the platform will enable obligated parties to verify the genealogy of all RINs from feedstock to RIN generation and separation. RINPlus will document many areas including:

  • Facility’s engineering review
  • Corporate formation documents and operating permits
  • Validity checks including co-product monitoring, site audits and spot product testing

The system, according to EM Biofuels, will give obligated parties the due diligence and supporting documentation needed to ensure RINS are valid and meet RFS2 requirements.

“We began working with both producers and obligated parties in 2011, listening to their concerns and incorporating their ideas regarding the specific aspects a RIN assurance platform needed to address. The end result is a platform that has the capacity to become a secure and efficient marketplace for RINs,” said Ken Nelson, Senior Vice President of EM Biofuels.

The tool integrates real-time with a fuel producers’ facility operations. In addition, it allows the user to create reports summarizing their RIN portfolio and includes supporting documentation. EM Biofuels plans to launch additional functionality to the RINPlus platform in early 2013.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol

Elliott Sadler Wins STP 300

Chuck Zimmerman

Ethanol had another victory on the NASCAR track today when Elliott Sadler won the Nationwide Series STP 300. The race came out of caution with two laps to go so it made for an exciting finish. Placing 4th today was master agvocate Kenny Wallace, spokesperson for the Illinois Corn Growers Family Farmers.

After the race I asked Elliott what he thinks about racing on a fuel that’s made in part by Illinois corn
growers. He says the initiative that NASCAR has taken to go green in the last couple years is a great one. Since the track is surrounded by corn and soybeans he says, “It’s neat to see something in the field growing. I’m a farmer at home too.”

Then Richard Childress, RCR Racing, chimed in. “In NASCAR we’ve put in almost 4 million miles or maybe a little over by now on E15, American Ethanol blend of fuel. That says a lot for what E15 can do for your car.”

Listen to Elliott and Richard’s remarks here: Elliott Sadler & Richard Childress on Ethanol

Illinois Corn Growers NASCAR Weekend Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, NASCAR

Green Flag for STP 300

Chuck Zimmerman

E15 is on display again today at the NASCAR Nationwide STP 300 race in Joliet, IL. We had a few raindrops just before the green flag but it dissipated and the race is on.

Prior to the race I spent time with the Illinois Corn Growers Family Farmers High Performance Team. Spokesperson, Kenny Wallace, driver of the 09 car today was on hand. I recorded a conversation he had with Glenn Fritz that I thought you might enjoy. Kenny calls Glenn Fritz “the ultimate farmer.” We were located at Greenfields Campground owned by Glenn.

Glenn has a grandson on the farm that is now the 5th generation of the family on the land. He’s got an interesting story to tell and I hope you’ll enjoy listening to it.

Listen to Kenny and Glenn here: Kenny Wallace and Glenn Fritz

Illinois Corn Growers NASCAR Weekend Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, NASCAR

Winner of American Ethanol 225

Chuck Zimmerman

The winner of the American Ethanol 225 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race is James Buescher. He’s pictured here in Victory Lane at Chicagoland Speedway. Presenting the trophy is Chairman of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board Bill Christ and Tricia Braid, Communications Director.

During the post race press conference I asked James what he thought of racing on a blend of home grown fuel made by corn farmers. He says “It’s really cool to be able to be part of NASCAR going green. It’s only positive. We’re helping the environment.” By the way, he had to have his carburetor replaced during the race!

Listen to James comment on ethanol here: James Buescher Remarks

Illinois Corn Growers NASCAR Weekend Photo Album

American Ethanol, Audio, Ethanol, NASCAR

Farmer Waves Green Flag For American Ethanol 225

Chuck Zimmerman

Illinois corn farmer Donna Jeschke got to wave the green flag for the American Ethanol 225 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race tonight. Donna is ending her term on the board of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board.

She found the experience to be exciting and just a little scary. She says this type of promotion puts what she does as a farmer out in front of the public to help them better understand where their food comes from.

This is just the first race of an ethanol sponsored weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. You’ll be able to find more interviews over the next few days on the Illinois Corn Growers Corn Corps Blog.

Listen to my interview with Donna here: Interview with Donna Jeschke

Listen to the race invocation and national anthem here: Invocation/National Anthem

Listen to Mark Marquis, Marquis Energy, make the “Drivers, start your engines” call here: Start Your Engines

Illinois Corn Growers NASCAR Weekend Photo Album

American Ethanol, Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, NASCAR

Ethanol and Farmers on NASCAR Track

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s NASCAR race weekend in Joliet, IL at Chicagoland Speedway. My home today and tomorrow. I’m joining the Illinois Corn Growers and Family Farmers for two races. First up will be tonight’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series American Ethanol 225.

Then on Sunday we’ve got the second annual STP 300 which is part of the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The Sprint Cup Series has the weekend off.

Family Farmers cannot be missed at the event, with a 17,000 square foot exhibit area onsite to be complemented with both a Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series “Family Farmers” entry. This work is aimed at improving the trust between consumers and family farmers. In corn checkoff funded research, it was revealed that most influential people in the Chicago area think that corporations own most of the farms in Illinois. This erodes the base of support among that same group for issues that are important to farmers regarding regulations, food safety, transportation, and trade.

I’ll be hanging out with Kenny Wallace and Illinois Corn Growers this afternoon. Kenny will be driving the #99 Family Farmers car in the STP 300.

“Chicagoland Speedway is a great track for me. We finished seventh in this race last year with our Family Farmers Toyota Camry. Since they closed Gateway International Raceway in 2010, Chicago has become sort of like a home track for me since it is only about four hours away from my hometown of St. Louis. Not only that, but it is the home of Family Farmers and American Ethanol, so I want to run well for them and I feel confident that we will run well.”

So, look for photos and interviews later today and tomorrow from an Illinois NASCAR weekend. See you from the track.

American Ethanol, biofuels, corn, NASCAR

U.S. Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of RFS

Joanna Schroeder

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has rejected a petition by the Chicken Council challenging the rule making of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2). Upon filing of the petition, the ethanol industry took action. Today, Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis along with Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen issued a joint statement on behalf of the industry.

“Today’s decision is nothing short of a victory for American ethanol producers and renewable fuel advocates. This was the last of many challenges to the RFS2 rulemaking and each one was rejected. With the Court denying this latest challenge, they have vindicated the rulemaking process of the RFS2.  The RFS is arguably the nation’s most effective energy policy.  It has spurred the development of a domestic biofuels industry that is creating hundreds of thousands of jobs that cannot be outsourced.  In addition, it is helping to decrease the nation’s reliance on imported oil and thus reducing prices at the pump. 

Moreover, the RFS is the nation’s first effort at meaningfully reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.  As the Court ruling demonstrates, the charges that anti-biofuel lobbies are leveling against ethanol simply do not hold up under scrutiny.  We look forward to working with EPA, the Department of Agriculture, and Congress to ensure the integrity of the RFS is maintained and the ambitious goals set within are achieved.”

biofuels, Ethanol, Growth Energy, RFA

Ball State Begins Final Phase of Geothermal System

Joanna Schroeder

Ball State is the home of the country’s largest geothermal system. This week the university began the second and final phase of converting to a geothermal ground-source heat pump system. The project began in 2009 and the first phase was completed earlier this year and now provides heating and cooling to nearly half the campus. Upon completion, the conversion should save Ball State $2 million a year.

The geothermal system is a vertical, closed-loop district system that uses only fresh water. It works by using the heat stored in ground water and thermal masses. A geothermal heat pump uses the Earth as either a heat source, when operating in heating mode, or a heat sink, when operating in cooling mode.

“When costs began to escalate for the installation of a new fossil fuel burning boiler, the university began to evaluate other renewable energy options,” said Jim Lowe, director of engineering, construction and operations. “This led to the decision to convert the campus to a more efficient geothermal-based heating and cooling system.”

Phase 2 includes installation of 780 of the remaining 1,800 boreholes in a field on the south area of campus. Construction will continue throughout 2013-2014 and will include a new District Energy Station South containing two 2,500-ton heat pump chillers and a hot water loop around the south portion of campus. The system will then connect to all buildings on campus — eventually providing heating and cooling to 5.5 million square feet.

Electricity, Energy, Geothermal

Wind O&M Market Forecast to Double

Joanna Schroeder

The wind operations and maintenance services (O&M) market is forecast to nearly double by 2025 from approximately $3 billion in 2012 to nearly $6 billion in 2025. Also according to a recent report from IHS Emerging Energy Research on U.S. Wind O&M Strategies, O&M is expected to account for over one-third of total capital expenditures over the next decade.

In March, the U.S. Senate voted against extending the wind Production Tax Credit (PTC) beyond 2012. This has caused uncertainty in the market and prospects for new wind farms are uncertain. This also has an impact on operational wind farms and owners are now putting more focus on increasing revenue.

The study focuses on four O&M areas: market player profiles; market environment; service segmentation and costs analysis; and market forecasts.

These areas, along with other key issues in the wind industry, will be addressed during the 4th Annual Optimizing Wind Power O&M conference slated for September 25-26, 2012 in Chicago. The event has been updated based on attendee feedback and this year there will be case studies and interactive roundtable discussions.

Electricity, Energy, Wind