Growing GROWMARK Energy Business

Cindy Zimmerman

From premium diesel, gasoline and lubricants to propane, biodiesel and ethanol, the GROWMARK Energy Division continues to grow and offer high quality products to member cooperatives and the general public.

The annual volume for the cooperative system’s energy division exceeds 1.6 billion gallons of gasoline, distillates and propane, and about 80 percent of the gasoline marketed by GROWMARK and FS member companies contains 10 percent ethanol. According to GROWMARK Energy Marketing and Communications Manager Ron Durdle, they own two refined terminals in Menard, Illinois and Ft. Dodge, Iowa. “The Menard terminal continues to be a good asset for us,” Durdle said during a recent GROWMARK media tour. “Recently added biodiesel blending there and the load-out equipment is state of the art.” Menard has storage for 80,000 gallons of ethanol and 30,000 gallons of biodiesel.

The terminal just east of Ft. Dodge was purchased by GROWMARK in the fall of 2010. “We’re upgrading that, adding biofuels to it and upgrading the facility in general,” Durdle said. GROWMARK’s interest in biofuels extends to part ownership of Mid America Biofuels, a 30 million gallon biodiesel plant in Mexico, Missouri. “It is definitely a mainstream part of our business,” he added.

Propane is a rapidly growing segment of the GROWMARK energy business with the cooperative system now ranked as the sixth largest propane marketer in the country. “GROWMARK FS is in the propane business out of New York state,” Durdle said. “In the bulk of our trade territory, in the Midwest, propane is used for grain drying. But a more regular business is home heat so we’re kind of working our way east there.”

The GROWMARK Energy Division brands range from Dieselex Gold and Comfort Pro propane to United and Archer lubricants and Fast Stop stores. “That’s our retail brand,” Durdle said of Fast Stop. “Very nice opportunity for us to serve other markets than agriculture with our retail sites.”

Overall, Durdle says reaching out to additional geographies and markets adds volume to the overall system and provides a better return for FS cooperative members.

Listen to an interview with Ron Durdle here: Ron Durdle Interview

Audio, Biodiesel, Energy, Ethanol, FS Energy, GROWMARK, Propane

Infographic Illustrates How RFS is Working

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has released an ‘infographic’ entitled “It’s Working” which provides a vivid depiction of how the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) and ethanol are reducing oil imports and saving Americans money at the pump.



ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings says the infographic’s attention-grabbing charts and statistics were an important part of the group’s recent DC fly-in and can be used to educate the media and general public about the benefits of ethanol. “We felt the need to create a unique and informative tool about what the RFS and ethanol are accomplishing during our fly-in. Sixty ACE members hand-delivered it to nearly 200 congressional offices and, based upon their feedback, the infographic enabled them to make a persuasive case about the need to keep the RFS intact,” said Jennings. “We encourage all grassroots ethanol supporters to make good use of this valuable resource by sharing it with their policymakers and local media.”

The infographic cites data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and other reliable third-parties and depicts noteworthy ethanol accomplishments since enactment of the RFS, including helping reduce oil imports and replace the need for 485 million barrels of imported oil, how U.S. ethanol production is greater than the gasoline which could be produced from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Bakken Shale Oil Formation, and proposed Keystone XL pipeline combined, and how ethanol helps save consumers money.

The image here is just part of the total infographic, which can be viewed in its entirety on the ACE website.

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Ethanol Safety Training in Chattanooga

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), Norfolk Southern Corp., and Tate & Lyle will co-host a free Ethanol Safety Seminar in Chattanooga, TN on April 18th at the Chattanooga Fire Department Training Center.

The goal of this seminar is for attendees to gain a full ethanol emergency response training experience that they can put to use immediately in the field as well as pass along to other first response teams. A majority of this training is based on the Complete Training Guide to Ethanol Emergency Response, a training package created by the Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition (EERC) that has been distributed throughout the United States and to several countries worldwide.

“Ethanol is the most commonly transported hazmat by rail today. It is important that first responders are familiar with this commodity and proper response practices should an ethanol related emergency occur,” said David Schoendorfer, Norfolk Southern Manager Hazardous Materials.

“With this high volume of blended fuel traveling through communities, it is essential that first responders are as fully prepared as possible to act immediately in the unfortunate event of an ethanol emergency,” RFA VP of Technical Services Kristy Moore. “Safety will always be a priority in the ethanol industry and we are thrilled to be able to offer this type of training.”

To accommodate schedules and reach as many participants as possible, the seminar will feature a morning session from 9:00am to 2:00pm and an evening session from 5:30-10:00pm. Lunch and dinner will be provided. Registration is available on-line.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, safety, transportation

Renewable-Energy Exporter of the Year

Joanna Schroeder

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is awarding Northern Power Systems (NPS), a Vermont-based company that designs, manufactures and sells wind turbines globally, its Renewable-Energy Exporter of the Year Award. The honor was given today during the Bank’s 37th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

“Northern Power Systems is a great example of an innovative company that is creating American jobs by helping other nations meet their energy needs,” said Fred P. Hochberg, chairman and president of the Ex-Im Bank. “Ex-Im’s financing for renewable energy projects exceeded $720 million last year, and the Bank remains committed to supporting U.S. exports in this vital sector.”

NPS 100 wind turbines are exported into European Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) wind farms and hybrid power applications. Typically, the wind energy offsets diesel-generated power. To help grow its business, NPS recently used Ex-Im Bank’s Renewable Express financing to export 55 wind turbines for a FIT project in Italy. This was the largest export sale from the U.S. to date.

John P. Danner, President and CEO of Northern Power Systems said of the award, “Ex-Im Bank helps NPS successfully compete in global markets by allowing us to offer customers very attractive project financing. We are looking forward to expanding our relationship with Ex-Im beyond Italy to the United Kingdom and numerous other markets.”

Electricity, Energy, Wind

It’s NBA Green Week

Joanna Schroeder

It’s NBA Green Week this week, sponsored in part by Sprint, and many companies are finding unique ways to reach basketball fans with green messages. One such partnership is between FirstEnergy Solutions and the Cleveland Cavaliers.  On April 10, FirstEnergy donated 40 Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to offset the electricity use during the game. The REC’s were generated at the Meyersdale wind facility located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

How does a REC work?  When a renewable energy facility, such as a wind farm, produces electricity that is certified and then sold into the wholesale electricity market, REC’s are produced. (This is similar to a Renewable Identification Number (RIN) being produced for a gallon of ethanol or biodiesel.) Ultimately, RECs represent the positive environmental attributes associated with renewable energy.

Dave Hennekes, vice president of Retail Marketing at FirstEnergy Solutions said his company was pleased to donate the renewable energy credits for the game in an effort to help support further development of renewable energy.

Here are a few other initiatives:

  • Golden State Warriors and Esurance partnered to promote eco-friendly transportation options in the Bay Area on March 29.
  • Phoenix Suns are supporting a solar energy project.
  • The Trail Blazers unveiled several electric car charging stations at Rose Garden.
Education, Electric Vehicles, Electricity, Energy, Solar, Wind

Book Review – Climate Wars

Joanna Schroeder

The first book on my 2012 La Nina Reading List was “Climate Wars” by Gwynne Dyer. The premise of this book is that global warming is happening and will continue to happen and as the world overheats, the result will be a range of “climate wars”.  One of his hypotheses is that the climate will change and affect different regions and countries differently but all countries will be negatively affected in multiple ways.

First, claims Dyer, the globe will experience a crisis in the food supply. Dyer writes that another major factor in the world’s future is that today a number of great powers are already using climate change scenarios to plan military strategy. To prove his hypothesis Dyer created eight future scenarios based on published science and current or past events with each ranging from worst-case to moderate case.  Each scenario focuses on one or two countries and their reactions to climate change.  After each scenario is presented, and written as if the events had already occurred, he then reviews the science and events used to create the scenario.

A reader asked the question, “What does climate change have to do with DomesticFuel?”  Everything, I argue because of you buy into the concept of climate change or global warming, the largest contributor to warming is carbon.  The largest generator of carbon are fossil fuels and fossil fuels are used to create energy and electricity – the crux of this blog. The theory would then be, if you reduce or replace the carbon generated by fossil fuels with lower or no carbon alternative energy sources, then the reduction would help to help to stave off the heating of the planet.

So how does Dyer portray fossil fuels and alternative energy in his scenarios?

Not with much hope.Read More

book reviews, Environment

Encourage the EPA to Support Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

A new petition has been launched today to help encourage the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support biofuels development. The petition is sponsored by Frontiers of Freedom, who says that advanced biofuels allow America to reduce its dependence on foreign sources of oil while simultaneously exploring next generation biofuels. Frontiers of Freedom also say that renewable energy can and should be produced in the U.S. and production would create jobs.

“When we fill our cars with gasoline, we contribute to the global demand for petroleum and give money to our enemies,” said Frontiers of Freedom President, George Landrith. “As a nation committed to liberty and freedom, we must find alternatives to foreign oil.”

In a statement from the organization, producing biofuels domestically will keep our energy dollars at home. In addition, the U.S. sends an estimated billion dollars a day oversees to import oil from the Middle East and other parts of the world. “It is time to return that money into our back pockets and keep it out of the hands of the world’s worst tyrants,” said the statement.

Frontiers of Freedom believes that in a short time, American innovation will create energy that is cheaper and more plentiful than oil. However, the only way to achieve this is to remain committed and invest in advanced biofuel technologies, and “this journey begins with the EPA exhibiting the courage to promote and advance biofuel development.”

Click here to sign the petition.

advanced biofuels, Energy

Butamax and Gevo Need to Resolve Issues

Cindy Zimmerman

Yet another press release came out this week regarding the Butamax/Gevo legal battle over isobutanol technology patent infringement and frankly, we are sick of hearing about it.

This spat started over 16 months and dozens of press releases ago. There is no question that patents are important, but the fact is that both of these companies are holding up critical technology by arguing about it.

butamaxThe two have been filing dueling lawsuits over patents since January of 2011 and the trial date for the first lawsuit is not scheduled now until April 2013.

Granted, business is business, but if these two companies are truly interested in furthering the energy independence of this country by taking advanced biofuels to the next level, they would get together and collaborate to commercialize this fuel. Until then, hold the press releases unless there is a technical breakthrough or big news that will advance biofuels.  That would be interesting.

advanced biofuels, isobutanol, Opinion

Hughson Nut”s” for Solar

Joanna Schroeder

Hughson Nuts, a California based almond processor, has completed a 586 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system at its 50,000 square foot almond facility. The system has the capacity to produce more than 970,000 kilowatt hours of energy each year and will be used to power the blanching, dry roasting, and cutting lines for producing sliced, slivered, diced and milled almonds. The system was installed by Cenergy Power who says that the energy produced from the solar system will be equivalent to offsetting 730 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. This is the second solar project Hughson Nut has undertaken.

“Cenergy Power did a great job on an initial 504 kW solar project for a related nut hulling business over a year ago so we were very confident in their capabilities on this second solar project,” said Martin Pohl, principal of Hughson Nut. “They were a company of their word, which really helps us meet our dual goals of environmental sustainability while reducing energy costs for the benefit of our growers and partners.”

As part of the solar arrangement, Cenergy Power will be providing 10 years of scheduled operations and maintenance for the system, that includes touch-free panel cleanings, preventive maintenance & repair, and overall system warranties.

Electricity, Solar

2012 Farm Bill Doubtful

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked “Will we have a farm bill by end of 2012?” Is it any surprise to you that 77 percent of our respondents said No and that only 23 percent said Yes? The farm bill is a big deal to anyone who eats or produces food but in reality it’s only about 2% of federal funding. It touches a lot of nerves though since it directly impacts everyone.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Where are best job opportunities in agribusiness?” The outlook for ag jobs seems very positive according to an AgCareers.com analysis. Job postings were up last year. What area holds the most promise right now in your opinion? If you attend next week’s Agri-Marketing Conference you’ll run into some very qualified and motivated young folks, many of whom are looking for their ag career opportunity!

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

ZimmPoll