NEC 2027

Ag Secretary Wants Biofuels Support in Farm Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

Outlining his priorities for farm policy this week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stressed the need for continued support of renewable fuels in the next farm bill.

“Rural America has done a great job of helping to develop the domestically-produced renewable energy and fuel. That job must continue because when we create those opportunities, we create jobs, we reduce our reliance on foreign energy sources, and we enhance our national security,” Vilsack said during a speech at a John Deere facility in Des Moines on Monday. “USDA has to have the tools to be able to continue to help this biobased and biofuel and renewable energy economy, and we need to make sure that it’s vibrant in all regions of the country. Continuing our investment in renewable energy, biofuel, and biobased products will improve the bottom line for farmers as we find creative ways to use that which they grow.”

The secretary noted that expansion in the biofuel industry has already had an impact. “We’ve gone from importing 60 percent of our oil to 52 percent,” he said. “As a result of our biofuel industries, consumers across America are paying about $0.90, on average, less for gas than they would otherwise pay. So it’s a great opportunity for consumer choice, it’s a job creator, and it improves income opportunities for farmers.”

Specifically, Vilsack wants to see at least the BCAP (Biomass Crop Assistance Program) and the REAP (Rural Energy For America Program) programs continued.

Biodiesel, biofuels, biojet fuel, biomass, Energy, Ethanol, Ethanol News, John Deere, USDA

FlexFuel Vehicle Education Project Announced

Cindy Zimmerman

A new public education project to reach drivers of FlexFuel Vehicles (FFVs) by working with state Motor Vehicle Administrations (MVA) was announced today by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Clean Fuels Foundation.

As a part of the national FFV Awareness Campaign, the “FlexFuel Vehicle/Motor Vehicle Administration” project will work with MVAs in six states on outreach opportunities such as developing an FFV owner database, vehicle registration and license renewals, safety inspection and emissions notices, and including information with the energy/emergency preparedness program, state websites, and at point of service. The six states are Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Maryland, Georgia, and Florida.

“Working together with MVAs and automakers we want to reach drivers of FFVs to make sure they are aware that their vehicles have the capability of using high-level ethanol blends,” said FFV Awareness Campaign Manager Burl Haigwood. “Educating drivers about fuel choice will result in proper refueling and protect ethanol’s stellar 30-year marketplace reputation.”

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers CEO Mitch Bainwol says they represent 12 companies of FFVs that see the need for consumer education. “FlexFuel Vehicles are a growing segment of the auto pool. We are pleased to help sponsor this project to increase the use of alternative fuels like E85 and in so doing, educate drivers to avoid the potential for misfueling.”

FFV Awareness Campaign supporters noted that reaching drivers in cooperation with the DMVs is essentially a no-to-low cost means to help states meet their goals to reduce petroleum use, support new biofuel technologies, and improve air quality. The Alliance now joins EPA, USDA, several Clean Cities Coalitions, and over 30 Ag/Energy/Environmental organizations that support the FFV Awareness Campaign.

Car Makers, E85, Education, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Flex Fuel Vehicles

American Ethanol Car to Race at Martinsville

Cindy Zimmerman

American Ethanol will be in the spotlight at the Martinsville Speedway NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race this weekend in Virginia.

The No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet race car will feature a special-edition American Ethanol paint scheme at the race and will be driven by American Ethanol spokesman and recent Talladega race winner Clint Bowyer. In addition, the American Ethanol brand will be featured on-track and accompanied with a broadcast in-car camera on Sunday.

“This branded race car design raises American Ethanol’s profile in a powerful way, especially coming off Clint Bowyer’s win last week in Talladega,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. American Ethanol is a partnership between NASCAR, Growth Energy, and the National Corn Growers Association.

National Corn Growers Association NASCAR Advisory Committee Chair Martin Barbre says they are excited about the high profile ethanol will have in the upcoming race. “Of course, we again congratulate our spokesman on his major victory last week. Now, tens of millions of fans across the country will be keyed into Clint as he again shows the incredible performance of E15 as it fuels him back into victory lane again.”

All NASCAR series races this year have been powered by 15% ethanol. “The transition to E15 has been seamless and overwhelmingly positive for myself and my team, and I am honored to have American Ethanol on the No. 33 Chevrolet this weekend,” said Bowyer. “I support American farmers as they strive to develop energy independence for our country and I look forward to representing American Ethanol both on and off the track this weekend at Martinsville.”

The Martinsville Speedway Sprint Cup Series race will be on ESPN beginning at 1:30 Eastern at Martinsville (Virginia) Speedway.

American Ethanol, corn, Ethanol, Growth Energy, NASCAR, NCGA

Congressmen Promote Open Fuel Standard

Cindy Zimmerman

Members of the Open Fuel Standard Coalition joined with Representatives Eliot Engel (D-NY) and John Shimkus (R-IL) to call for consumer choice at the pump during an Energy Security Roundtable and media event in Washington DC on Tuesday

The two congressmen, pictured here with former National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane, outlined their Open Fuel Standard Act (HR 1687) which would set a deadline of 2017 for automakers to stop making cars that run on only gasoline. After than point, all American made cars must be either flex fuel (capable of burning gasoline, ethanol or methanol or any combination of these), or powered by natural gas, hydrogen, biodiesel, plug-in electric, or fuel cell.

“By employing the Open Fuel Standard, we can create competition for petroleum on the open market with other types of fuel. We don’t have to wait for the perfect technology,” said Rep. Engel (center).

“Consumers should have a choice when they pull up to a refueling station,” Rep. Shimkus (right) added. “At a minimal cost, vehicles could be able to accept multiple fuels with consumers choosing based on price or even feedstock for the fuel.”At a minimal cost, vehicles could be able to accept multiple fuels with consumers choosing based on price or even feedstock for the fuel.”

Also at the event were NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace and representatives from the Renewable Fuels Association, the Methanol Institute and ACT! For America.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, NASCAR, RFA

Dividing Corn Stover Could Help Cellulosic Ethanol Production

Cindy Zimmerman

Purdue University researchers have found that dividing up corn stalks may be the way to conquer in the quest for cellulosic ethanol efficiency.

A research team discovered that when corn stover is processed to make ethanol, three distinct parts of it – the rind, pith and leaves – break down in different ways.

Cellulosic ethanol is created by using enzymes to extract sugars from cellulosic feedstocks, such as corn stover, grasses and woods, and then fermenting and distilling those sugars into fuels. Stover’s pith, the soft core that makes up more than half the weight of a corn stalk, is the easiest for enzymes to digest, according to the findings in two papers published in the journal Biotechnology and Bioengineering. Rind is the most difficult, while leaves fall in between. Significant amounts of lignin, the rigid compound in plant cell walls, make the cellulose resistant to hydrolosis, a process in which cellulose is broken down into sugars.

Read more here.

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Research, University

ZeaChem Grows To Commercialize Advanced Biofuels

Cindy Zimmerman

Colorado-based ZeaChem has expanded its board of directors and raises new capitol to move closer to commercial production of advanced biofuels and chemicals.

ZeachemZeaChem has raised $19 million in Series C financing, led by Birchmere Ventures, and partner Sean D.S. Sebastian has joined the ZeaChem board of directors. “As an industry leader in the advanced biofuels and bio-based chemicals industries, ZeaChem’s proven capability to produce economical and sustainable petroleum alternatives is an innovation we are pleased to add to our portfolio,” said Sebastian.

ZeaChem also added two independent members to the board. Ross Pillari spent 35 years with BP, including as chairman and chief executive officer of BP America and currently serves on the advisory board of CVC Capital Partners. Charles “Charlie” Shaver has three decades of experience in the chemicals industry, most recently serving as president of The TPC Group, Inc.

ZeaChem’s 250,000 GPY integrated demonstration biorefinery in Boardman, Oregon is scheduled to come on line yet this year. The company is now developing commercial biorefineries for the production of advanced biofuels and bio-based chemicals.

advanced biofuels, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Smartphone Show Apps

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Are Farm Show Smartphone Apps Helpful?” Although 55% said they had Never used one, 27% said Yes and only 18% said no. I think these results reflect the fact that these apps are new. I used several during the course of the year and some are more helpful than others. One of the features I like most is being able to open a show map to find where I am currently located and where I want to go to find a particular exhibitor. Have you used any of these apps? What did you like or wish was different about the ones you used?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “How do you view the new free trade agreements for U.S. ag?” What do you think? Take our poll and feel free to comment. Thank you.

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

ZimmPoll

USDA Report Shows Value of Ethanol Co-Product

Cindy Zimmerman

A new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report finds that the ethanol co-product known as distillers grains or DDGS is replacing even more corn and soybean meal in livestock and poultry feed rations than previously thought.

According to the report by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS), “We found that, on average, for the past 5 crop years (2006/07-2010/11), 1 mt of distillers’ grains substitutes for about 1.22 mt of corn and soybean meal combined in the United States.”

The report also noted that “Feed market impacts of increased corn use for ethanol are smaller than that indicated by the total amount of corn used for ethanol production because of DDGS.” In fact, ERS found the amount of feed (corn and soybean meal) replaced by the DDGS represents nearly 40 percent (on a weight basis) of the corn used in the associated ethanol production process for a given crop year.

Read the report here.

“The value of the animal feed produced by the ethanol industry has long been misunderstood, understated and misrepresented,” said Geoff Cooper, Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Research & Analysis. “Distillers grains continue to be the industry’s best kept secret, despite the fact that we are producing tremendous volumes of this high value feed product today. DDGS and other ethanol feed products significantly reduce the need for corn and soybean meal in animal feed rations. Over the past several years, distillers grains have been one of the most economically competitive sources of energy and protein available on the world feed market. While some critics of the ethanol industry attempt to downplay the role of DDGS, the facts simply can’t be ignored.”

RFA believes the report has important implications for discussions regarding ethanol’s impact on feed grains availability, feed prices, land use effects, and the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of producing corn ethanol.

Read more about the report from RFA here.

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, livestock, livestock feed, RFA, USDA

Record Biodiesel Production Continues

Cindy Zimmerman

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that a record 119 million gallons of “Biomass-based Diesel” were produced in September, up eight percent over the previous high of 110 million gallons in August and marking the sixth consecutive monthly record. Of that total, about 95 percent was biodiesel production, which now totals 686 million gallons for the year so far as of September.

The monthly Moderated Transaction System (EMTS) data from EPA is used to track requirements under the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) program for use of renewable fuels and Renewable Identification Number (RIN) transactions.

The National Biodiesel Board is pleased to see the continued growth in biodiesel this year. “Biodiesel is America’s first Advanced Biofuel,” says NBB. “It is produced in nearly every state in the country and will support more than 31,000 U.S. jobs in 2011 while replacing nearly one billion gallons of petroleum diesel.”

Biodiesel, NBB

New Propane Autogas Facility Planned for Washington

Cindy Zimmerman

Blue Star Gas is planning to break ground on a new propane autogas station and distribution facility in the Puget Sound region of Tukwila, Wash.

Blue Star already has autogas stations across California and Oregon but this will be the first in Washington state. “The Blue Star Gas facility in Tukwila now extends the reach of our propane distribution and fueling operations on the West Coast,” says Blue Star Gas President Jeff Stewart. “With this location, we will deliver Puget Sound fleets and the public the most economical and environmentally friendly alternative fuel available today and meet the needs of those who want to save money while enhancing national energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Blue Star is a partner in Alliance Autogas, an integrated network that includes propane retailers, premier equipment providers and certified conversion centers.

Propane